James McCarthy (born 12 November 1990 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a Scottish born Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical.

McCarthy has played for the youth squads of the Republic of Ireland national football team. He is eligible to play for Ireland because his grandfather was born there.

An alumnus of St Margaret Mary's Secondary School in Castlemilk, Glasgow, McCarthy made his debut against Queen of the South as a substitute on 30 September 2006, becoming the youngest player to play for Hamilton Academical in the 21st century. He is widely regarded as one of the most promising young players in Europe. His full debut came against Airdrie United on 11 November 2006; a day before his 16th birthday. On 6 January 2007, at 16 years and 55 days old, James became the youngest player ever to score in Hamilton Academical's history. He scored in a Scottish Cup defeat against Livingston.