Man City defender involved in fresh twist after nightmare loan

Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has struggled since signing for Celtic on a year-long loan

Manchester City had hopes of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey playing in the Champions League when they sent him on loan to Celtic. Instead, the young centre-back made his first start of the season in the KDM Evolution Trophy on Friday night.

Simpson-Pusey was catapulted into Pep Guardiola's plans last season amid an injury crisis and did a decent job in a very tough time. He made his full debut in the Champions League defeat at Sporting and also played in the Premier League before dropping down to the Under-21s and becoming the first defender to win the Premier League 2 Player of the Year award.

The 19-year-old signed up for a year's loan at Celtic at the beginning of August, but the first setback came shortly after that. Brendan Rodgers and his team were stunned in their Champions League qualifier by Kazakh team Kairat Almaty with Simpson-Pusey watching on.

Even worse, the teenager was left out of the Europa League squad completely and so will be unable to play in European competition this year unless Celtic make the knockouts and he can be added to the list. They currently have one point from their opening two matches.

Simpson-Pusey has not made a single squad in the league for Celtic either to cap off a nightmare start to his time in Glasgow. His first appearance for the club came on Friday for their Under-21s team as they lost 5-3 to East Fife.

Both the player and City will hope for a drastic improvement if Simpson-Pusey is to avoid a wasted year. Having been viewed internally as one of the best centre-backs in Europe for his age, the Blues need Simpson-Pusey to be getting regular minutes at a good level if he is to develop in his career.

"I am really pleased we have been able to bring Jahmai to Celtic, and I believe he will be an important, quality addition to our squad," Rodgers said when the move was announced in August.

"Jahmai is a quick, dominant centre-half. He is a strong defender but can also move the ball forward very well as we progress through the pitch.

"I know Jahmai is excited about this move and bringing him to the club creates even more competition which will only benefit us.

"I am sure he will settle in well with the squad as we get ready for the matches we have coming up at home and abroad."

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