Pep Guardiola’s praise of incoming Celt Jahmai Simpson-Pusey

Celtic have agreed a season long loan deal for Simpson-Pusey, who debuted in the English Premier League for City back in November last year.

He  arrived in Glasgow yesterday to undergo a medical with the Scottish champions. The 19 year-old defender will become Celtic’s seventh signing of the summer although Brendan Rodgers stated yesterday when asked that Jahmai would not be available for the game on Sunday against St Mirren, saying he’d need to sign first!

The young centre-back was in the starting lineup and completed the entire 90 minutes during Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton last season. Ironically, it was ex-Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley that scored the game’s winning goal.

Although City lost, Guardiola spoke highly of Simpson-Pusey post-match. The Spaniard singled him out for praise due to the way he performed.

Speaking to City Xtra via One Football,*  Guardiola said: “The guy [Simpson-Pusey] played really good, the young lad again, with this composure and duels and everything was good. It’s not easy for him.”

“Normally the young lads, they must come in with support from the team, with Rodri in front of them, right? With the best Kyle [Walker], and defenders, and now we support him. Now he’s playing in a position that is difficult for him but he performed unbelievable.”

“We have a central defender to help us for the future, for the next years. I’m really pleased. Always there is good news when the situation goes bad, and this is one of them.”

Brendan Rodgers currently has Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Dane Murray, and Stephen Welsh at his disposal, but he seems keen to strengthen his backline before the summer transfer window closes.

With Simpson-Pusey arriving through the door, it could see the exit of Stephen Welsh, who has been linked in recent days with a move away to English League One side Plymouth Argyle.

*City Xtra provide One Football, the world’s biggest football app, with Man City content in the same way The Celtic Star does for Celtic matters. The official Celtic FC website later also joined The Celtic Star in working in partnership with One Football.

Conor Spence