Celtic loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has taken to Instagram with a message that will spark plenty of chat among supporters — and maybe raise eyebrows inside Lennoxtown.
The 19-year-old centre-half, who joined on loan from Manchester City in August, has yet to kick a ball for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Left out of matchday squads and omitted from the Europa League list entirely, Simpson-Pusey’s time in Glasgow has stalled before it even began.
Now, in a move that won’t go unnoticed, the defender has swapped his profile picture from a shot of himself to a text quote: “Delays teach patience, which prepares you for blessings.”
It doesn’t take much reading between the lines to see this as a response to his Celtic experience so far. The teenager was highly rated at City, even named PL2 Player of the Season, yet he’s currently gathering dust while Celtic rely on Liam Scales, CCV, Trusty and others at the back.
The message could be taken two ways. Optimists will argue it’s a sign of maturity, a young pro reminding himself — and maybe the fans — that he’s willing to wait for his opportunity. Patience, bide your time, earn the jersey. Fair enough.
But there’s another interpretation: frustration. For a player whose loan was sold on the promise of regular football, “delays” might well mean wasted development. City fans have already questioned why their prospect is sitting idle in Glasgow instead of gaining experience on the pitch. Celtic fans too have voiced doubts over the point of bringing in a loanee who can’t even make the Europa squad.
Soccer Football – UEFA Champions League – Play Off – Second Leg – Kairat v Celtic – Ortalyk Stadion, Almaty, Kazakhstan – August 26, 2025 Celtic’s Jahmai Simpson-Pusey during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev
Joined Manchester City academy aged eight.
Signed first professional contract July 2023.
Made Champions League debut November 2024.
Won Premier League 2 Player of the 24/25 Season.
Joined Celtic on season-long loan August 2025.
Rodgers has said Simpson-Pusey lacked match fitness on arrival and needed time to build up sharpness. Yet with weeks now passed, the sight of the defender sending out cryptic Instagram messages tells its own story — he feels the wait.
Whether patience eventually turns to blessing at Celtic remains to be seen. Kilmarnock vs Celtic on Sunday, after the international break, will give us a gauge if JSP has a shot at playing in Rodgers’ side. Can he make the squad for the game and perhaps get some game time, after the international break you would imagine anyone who wasn’t sharp in training has managed to get up to speed.
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