The centre-back has yet to play a first-team game for Celtic following his summer arrival from the Premier League giants(Image: SNS Group)

Brendan Rodgers won’t turn to Manchester City loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey amid Celtic’s injury crisis.

That is according to Hugh Keevins – who doesn’t believe that the Hoops boss is keen on the centre-back after seeing him up close.

The Parkhead boss is facing a defensive injury crisis with Alistair Johnston limping off just three minutes into his return against Strum Graz in the Europa League.

In the same game, Cameron Carter-Vickers needed treatment right on full-time with the American international now ruled out for up to five months with an Achilles issue.

Simpson-Pusey has barely been seen since the day he arrived in Glasgow – and has still not made his first-team debut.

The England youth international’s only appearance for the club as the B team shipped five goals to League One side East Fife in the KDM Trophy.

The 19-year-old – who won the Premier League 2 Player of the Year just a few months ago – could enter Rodgers thinking once against after the knock to Carter-Vickers.

However, Liam Scales is expected to be partnered by either Auston Trusty or Dane Murray for the top of the table clash with Hearts despite Simpson-Pusey being spotted at Lennoxtown before the Premiership blockbuster.

Mail Sport columnist Keevins emphatically declared on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: “It’s Dane Murray or Auston Trusty.

“Brendan Rodgers said it, the door of opportunity opens for somebody.

“It’s got to be Trusty – who hasn’t played this season* but did cost Celtic £6m – or Dane Murray, for whom the manager has a lot of faith. I think it comes from one of those two.

“I think the boy from Manchester City, for whatever reason, has not been seen at all. And my suspicion is that Brendan Rodgers doesn’t rate him.”

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