Frustrated Celtic cast-off hailed 'talented player' as torrid Parkhead spell ends with 'fresh start'

Those were the words of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey when the defender joined Celtic on a season-long loan from Manchester City in August.

Hailed as an “ important, quality addition to our squad, ” by then manager Brendan Rodgers, the move to Parkhead was expected to provide valuable game-time for a highly-rated prospect who made six appearances for Pep Guardiola’s City side last season.

However, five months later, safe to say the 20-year-old centre-back’s move to Parkhead has failed to live up to expectations.

His one and only first team outing came against Livingston on November 11 when he started the match at right-back to cover for injuries. His only other outing was for the Celtic B team in the 5-3 defeat to East Fife in the Challenge Cup on October 10.

He failed to win over each of the three managers in charge of Celtic this season - Rodgers, Martin O’Neill and Wilfried Nancy.

It will therefore come as no surprise that Simpson-Pusey has had his Celtic loan terminated early and will now spend the rest of the season with Cologne. He completed a medical with the German club over the weekend and has now joined his new team-mates at a training camp in La Nucia during the Bundesliga’s winter break.

“The move to Cologne is a fresh start for me, and one I’m really looking forward to,” Simpson-Pusey said on the German club’s website. “I want to play as much as possible here and help FC to reach their goals this season.”

While Celtic have so far failed to acknowledge the youngster’s departure, Cologne welcomed Simpson-Pusey with a statement from sporting director Thomas Kessler.

“Jahmai is a talented player who, despite his young age, already has experience at the highest level,” he said. “He enjoyed his footballing education at one of the world’s best clubs and is excellent on the ball. With his signing, we have secured an option at the centre-back position and the necessary depth at that position. Jahmai brings a high level of motivation and a real desire to the club, which will have a positive influence on the competition for places.”