Brendan Rodgers has revealed new signing Jahmai Simpson-Pusey will need some time before making his first appearance for Celtic.
2nd February 2025; Fir Park, Motherwell, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Motherwell versus Celtic; Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans
The 19-year-old centre-back arrived on loan from Manchester City earlier this week but, as expected, is still working his way towards full match sharpness. City’s pre-season began later than Celtic’s, and Simpson-Pusey has not been training regularly with the first team, meaning he arrives a little behind the rest of the squad in terms of fitness.
Rodgers told Sky Sports: “Well, he’s a little bit away. I think in fairness to him, he’s been training with a small group at Manchester City and he isn’t quite up to speed yet. But he’s come in, you can see his quality straight away.
“It’s just going to take him a little bit of time just in terms of getting the fitness, getting the intensity into here. But he’s come in and adapted really well and we’ve brought him in for the season because we’ve got so many games, we don’t need him straight away. But I’m pretty sure soon he’ll be getting up to speed and ready.”
Simpson-Pusey will be competing with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Dane Murray and Stephen Welsh – if he stays at the club – for a place in Celtic’s backline once fully fit.
Celtic aren’t expected to make any more moves for central defenders this summer. They did have some interest in Adam Obert, CeltsAreHere understands that despite reports of bids in the Italian media, the player does not have an offer on the table from Celtic at the moment. The defender is under contract at Cagliari until 2029 and is valued at around £6m.
He is primarily a central defender, but has played at left-back for a decent bit in his career so far. Celtic may well revisit it in the next few weeks, with nothing ruled out.
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