Pep Guardiola tells Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers what he wants to hear about Simpson-Pusey as 'trust' made crystal clear

Daily Record

2 hours ago

Rodgers knows Guardiola trusts Simpson-Pusey implicitly and you don't have to look far for cold hard proof of that
Brendan Rodgers hinted Pep Guardiola's 'trust' in Jahmai Simpson-Pusey may have been one of the driving factors behind Celtic's decision to bring him in.
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And there's no denying the Man City boss rates the youngster after he delivered a public glowing verdict on the 'unbelievable' 19-year-old.
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The centre-back arrives at Parkhead after something of a breakthrough season at the Etihad where he managed six top-team appearances, which included starts in the Premier League and Champions League. on top of a number of cup outings.
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That experience with some of the best players in the world made it a no-brainer for Rodgers to bring him in and, speaking to Sky Sports, he admitted the faith shown by Guardiola in him last season made it an easy decision to bring him in.
Rodgers said: "He's a young player that I feel can come into this environment and really support us in the games that we play.
"We need a number of centre halves and he is one, with his profile and attributes that fit how we play.
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"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.
"He has had some senior games with Manchester City and has had the trust of Pep (Guardiola) to put him in. Now he comes here for a year and continues that education at a massive club."
And you don't need to look far for a sign of that 'trust' Rodgers is referring to.
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Simpson-Pusey is fancied to have a big future and, if Guardiola is to be believed, then it's a major coup for Celtic to bring him in.
He threw him in for his Premier League debut against Brighton back in November, having previously started him against Sporting CP in the Champions League.
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City, struggling for form, lost that game 2-1. But Simpson-Pusey was one of the bright spots as he looked capable beside Josko Gvardiol and Kyle Walker in the back line.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola said: 'Jahmai Simpson-Pusey played really good again, with this composure – the duels, everything was good. We have a central defender to help us for the next years.
'I'm really pleased. Always, there is good news when a situation is going bad – and this is one of them. It's not easy for him.
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'Normally, the young lads come in with the support of the team – Rodri in front of them, the best Kyle Walker and other defenders. He's playing in a position that is difficult for him, and he performed unbelievably.'
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