ANGE POSTECOGLOU must be careful with his training demands of James McCarthy, according to Kevin Phillips.

The former England international has warned the Hoops boss McCarthy won't be able to last at the weekends if he faces too much physical work during the week.

The claims come after McCarthy suffered a knock in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United at the weekend. 

Last week a report from The Athletic also claimed McCarthy was struggling with the pace and intensity of Celtic training.

Now Phillips has urged Postecoglou to keep McCarthy fresh for the weekends by monitoring his fitness during the week in training.

Phillips told Football Insider: “McCarthy is not a young player anymore and when you sign a player like that you have to manage him right. You have to do your due diligence with the sport science guys.

“If you want the best out of him on a weekend you cannot physically flog him during the week. You don’t want to tire him out otherwise he won’t be able to last long at the weekend.

“I’m a little surprised they gave him a four-year deal.

“They need to manage him now. It will be interesting to see how many minutes he plays this season.”