Celtic get huge Jahmai Simpson-Pusey update as Man City recall stance revealed ahead of January
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has finally broken into the matchday squad at Celtic in recent weeks.
The youngster arrived on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City in the summer, and he has had to bide his time since moving north of the border.
Simpson-Pusey hardly featured for Celtic under Brendan Rodgers, aside from being an unused substitute for both legs of the Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty back in August.
However, he has since been handed his debut by Martin O’Neill in November and has now become a regular feature in matchday squads since Wilfried Nancy took the reins.
Man City set to recall Jahmai Simpson-Pusey from Celtic
Celtic have been resurgent under Nancy in the last two games, and that has neglected the need for the Frenchman to make wholesale changes to the squad, despite a dismal opening to his tenure.
Simpson-Pusey has been an unused substitute for the Bhoys in each of their last three games, including for the wins against both Aberdeen and Livingston.
The centre-back is still waiting for his first minutes under Nancy, and that appears to have forced Manchester City into action regarding the future of their starlet.
Pep Guardiola’s side are now set to recall the 20-year-old from his loan at Celtic once the January window opens, according to the Daily Mail.
It is understood that Simpson-Pusey is likely to be loaned out once again for the second half of the campaign, with the English Championship seen as a likely destination for him.
Wilfried Nancy must make immediate back three decision
Nancy has used Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney as wide centre-halves in his back-three system so far, but not to great effect, especially in Ralston’s case.
The 27-year-old has looked uncomfortable on the ball at times, and it is clear that he is far better suited to playing in his preferred role as a traditional right-back.
After the update regarding Simpson-Pusey’s future, Nancy must now decide whether he is happy to persist with Ralston and Tierney in those roles in long-term.
If not, then reinforcements at the heart of the defence will be a must in January, since there is a distinct lack of experienced centre-back options.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is out for the remainder of the season, and that leaves the youthful and inexperienced duo of Dane Murray and Hayato Inamura as the only natural cover for Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.
If the boss is satisfied with Ralston and Tierney, then there is likely to be little need to enter the market in that area, but if not, then it will surely be another position added to the January shopping list.