Amid the gloom of Celtic’s summer transfer window, the club have added one of Manchester City’s rising talents to their ranks.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was confirmed as Celtic’s new signing on Tuesday, after a week of speculation, and the fact that he was present at Parkhead for the opening day win over St Mirren on Sunday.
The 19-year-old is a centre-back by trade, and he had a breakthrough campaign last season when Pep Guardiola handed Simpson-Pusey his first start against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in November, followed by his first Premier League start against Brighton.
Ironically enough, Celtic hero Matt O’Riley scored the winner for Brighton against Simpson-Pusey and Manchester City in that game.
But just like O’Riley did for several years, Simpson-Pusey is going to don the famous green and white colours and try to make himself a hero.
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Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is backed to help Celtic improve in their build-up
Just like Manchester City on the English domestic scene, Celtic dominate proceedings and the ball in Scotland, so Simpson-Pusey will be used to teams sitting back.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer, Tam McManus shared that he has watched the teenager in action a few times, and he is ‘very, very good on the ball.’
McManus noted how Simpson-Pusey is going to help Celtic and Brendan Rodgers create ‘overloads’ further up the pitch because of how he brings the ball out from the back.
“He’s a good player,” stated McManus. “I have seen him a couple of times at Manchester City. He is very, very good on the ball.
“I think that’s what Celtic need. As we all know, teams play one-up against Celtic, home and away. And you need to be good on the ball as a centre-back at Celtic, to bring the ball out and try to create overloads in the middle of the pitch.
“Yeah, he is a good player, with a good pedigree from Manchester City.”
Celtic’s centre-back options under Brendan Rodgers
There could be an argument to be made that Celtic’s defensive options for the new season are done and dusted.
Another goalkeeper isn’t needed; there are two right-backs on the books in Alistair Johnston and back-up option Anthony Ralston, and now another centre-back has been added, on top of Hayato Inamura arriving from the J-League.
What’s interesting with Inamura is that he played at left-back in pre-season, and he might just be the back-up option to Kieran Tierney.
Celtic’s CB options:
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Liam Scales
- Auston Trusty
- Jahmai Simpson-Pusey
- Stephen Welsh
- Dane Murray
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