Midfielder admits he is raring to go.
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New Everton midfielder James McCarthy has insisted that he does not feel the burden of his title as the most expensive Scottish born footballer following his transfer deadline day switch from Wigan Athletic, Sky Sports reports.
The fee the Toffees paid Wigan late on Monday eclipsed the £9.5m Spartak Moscow paid for Republic of Ireland team-mate Aiden McGeady back in 2010.
Players can sometimes buckle under the weight of expectation when a fee such as this one is involved, but McCarthy has insisted that it has not fazed him and he is pleased just to have returned to the top flight once again.
“It’s a new challenge and I am really looking forward to it. I have had a few people on my case about it, and it’s one I’m going to need to take in my stride,” he said.
“Hopefully I can make the step up to a big club at Everton, and it’s one I’m looking forward to.
“Obviously I am delighted to be back in the Premier League. It’s a real excitement and a new challenge for myself.”
McCarthy was given permission by the Republic of Ireland camp to delay his joining up with the squad so he could tie up his move to Goodison Park, which caused an arduous wait as it wasn’t completed until the 11th hour.
“It was hectic,” he admitted. “It wasn’t nice to be waiting about, especially as it took until 10.50pm when we got confirmation that it was going to happen.
“It was just a relief, to be honest, and such an excitement to go to such a brilliant place like Everton.”