Elite Development Squad trio True Grant, Max Alleyne and Mahamadou Susoho were all included in Pep Guardiola’s 23-man travelling squad for our final Champions League Group G clash with the Serbian champions, while Micah Hamilton was also handed his senior debut.
Those absentees meant Simpson-Pusey was trusted with the captain’s armband in Belgrade, helping his side to a 2-2 draw to finish the group stages with an unbeaten record.
The centre-half was delighted to lead the team out against Red Star, and has his sights set on emulating his fellow youngsters in making the step up to the first team.
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“It was an honour to captain the team,” Simpson-Pusey reflected when talking to FG and former City forward Paul Dickov at full-time.
“I’ve got a good group of lads around me, but we were just unlucky I couldn’t captain the boys to a win.
“I’m seeing loads of lads on the bench for the first team. I’m really happy for them, but that’s my next step hopefully.
“Everyone seems happy for them. Max [Alleyne] is in my position, so it makes me want to be better and strive to play in the first team.”
Hear Jahmai’s thoughts in full via the video above...
