Sports
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey Needs to Leave Celtic With Wilfried Nancy
Wilfried Nancy is in desperate need of wins. Since joining Celtic, his back three – who have conceded 10 goals in the last four games – has featured full-backs Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston, and centre-backs Auston Trusty and Liam Scales. He has also given 19-year-old Colby Donovan opportunities.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has not yet played under Nancy, but the 6 ft 2 defender was in a predicament before the Frenchman’s arrival.
The centre-back, on loan from Manchester City, has barely featured since the start of the season. If Nancy were to lose his job, it would surely be better for Celtic, and for the player’s development, if Simpson-Pusey followed him out the door.
Initial Optimism
There was excitement when Simpson-Pusey joined Celtic on a season-long loan last summer. The club had attracted a highly regarded talent who had just won Premier League 2 player of the season. Pep Guardiola showed faith in the defender, giving him his Champions League and Premier League debut in the space of a week. The Englishman made six appearances for City’s first team last season, and Celtic seemed like the perfect team to continue his development.
Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports: “He’s a young player that I feel can come into this environment and really support us in the games that we play.
“He has got good pace. He is a good defender first and foremost but he can also play football because at Celtic, you need to be able to build the game from behind and progress it quickly. He can do that.”
Rodgers’ glowing words on the defender did not translate into giving him any playing time. By October 27th – the day Rodgers resigned as manager – Simpson-Pusey had not played a minute of first team football for Celtic.
Martin O’Neill gave him his debut and first start in a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock, but the defender hasn’t featured since.
Time Up At Celtic?
Given the lack of appearances, there were rumours that City would cut short his loan spell in January. A Man City source told CeltsAreHere in early October that this was not the case, and that Simpson-Pusey would be told to remain at Celtic until the end of the season.
The centre-back is now trying to impress a third manager in the same season, but his situation appears the same. With several Celtic defenders out injured, this should be the time for Simpson-Pusey to push for a place in the team, but there have been no signs that he is close to being considered.
The 20-year-old still needs to develop. He needs an environment where he can make mistakes and improve. This is natural for any young centre-back. At the moment, any defensive error could lead to more talk of Nancy losing his job. If he were subbed on and made a mistake, he would feel the full wrath of some Celtic supporters, which has already turned ugly this season.
Simpson-Pusey is used to pressure, having played in important games for Man City. Perhaps it is a case of right club, wrong season for the Englishman, but he has failed to make an impact under three managers. The volatile environment of Celtic is not for everyone. Nancy may not survive it, and Simpson-Pusey might be better getting out for his own sake.
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