'Up to him' - Man City youngster dealt fresh loan blow after major Europa League decision

Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has joined Celtic on loan for the season but he has had a difficult start to the season in Glasgow.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has been left out of Celtic's Europa League squad

Manchester City teenager Jahmai Simpson-Pusey saw his loan spell at Celtic take a fresh twist this week after he was left out of Brendan Rodgers' 24-man squad for the Europa League.

The 19-year-old is set to spend the season on loan at Celtic Park, but he has struggled to make an impact north of the border so far, and his absence from the league phase in Europe is a new blow.

Simpson-Pusey is one of four summer signings that Rodgers has left out of his squad for the eight games the club will play in the Europa League, and it continues the City youngster's difficulties in breaking into a struggling side.

The centre-back hasn't made the matchday squad for any of Celtic's first three Scottish Premiership fixtures this season and didn't feature in the League Cup tie against Falkirk either. He was an unused substitute in both games of the Champions League qualifying round defeat to Kairat Almaty, but hasn't done enough to earn selection for the Europa League.

Speaking a couple of weeks ago, Rodgers said he hoped to get Simpson-Pusey up to speed and involved after the current international break, but also said that it was up to the youngster to make his case for involvement.

“Really the first part of the season was to get him through until the international break, used to how we’d be working because he’s coming from training with a group of players, he’s played no minutes at all over the pre-season, so he’s not ready," said Rodgers.

“But we’re keeping an eye on him and hopefully after the international break, he can make some sort of impact, but that would be up to him. But he’s a talent.”

Simpson-Pusey made six appearances for Pep Guardiola's first team last season as City suffered a defensive injury crisis, including in Champions League fixtures against Sporting and Feyenoord, as well as playing the full game in a Premier League defeat at Brighton.

His move to Cetic was intended to be the next stage of his development, but at the moment, he has his work cut out to make an impact. Celtic return to action after the international break when they face Kilmarnock on September 14.

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