When Celtic brought Shane Duffy in on a season-long loan from Premier League side Brighton in the summer transfer window, Neil Lennon was quick to point out just what a great signing they had made.
The Hoops boss said: “He is leader and a warrior – someone with real ability and who will also give us that great physical presence. I know too he is a player who will add great personality to the dressing room.”
Fast forward a few months though, and it’s been nothing short of a disaster. He’s started just one of the past eight league games, whilst his cameo in the 1-0 defeat to Rangers in the Old Firm clash on Saturday afternoon proved just how big of a disaster he’s been.
Duffy came on for Leigh Griffiths mid-way through the second-half to partner Kristoffer Ajer at the back following Nir Bitton’s sending off, and whilst he made a few towering headers, he really should have been red carded himself for a reckless challenge on Rangers winger Ryan Kent.
Such was his abysmal cameo, that many Celtic fans took to Twitter urging for the club to just send him back to Brighton.
Sell bitton and terminate Duffy now.
— wrighty (@wrightyyoutube) January 2, 2021
In January we need to build for next year, get rid of Duffy, sell Christie if he wants away, retire Scott Brown and get shot of Lennon
What a feeble attempt to win a historic title— Richard Murphy (@RichardMurphy80) January 2, 2021
Send Duffy back to Brighton, punt Bitton, get at least 2 in, gave ourselves a mountain to climb, can't afford any passengers on the off chance we're able to claw it back
— Paddy🍀 (@Paddy7_) January 2, 2021
Christie can go, Edouard looks as if he's away already, send Duffy and Elyounoussi back to their clubs. Keep Ajer and build the midfield around Soro.
— martin (@martibhoy5797) January 2, 2021
Time to bin lennon Strachan and Kennedy please Celtic, send Duffy away, give the new man 2 transfer windows
— John Wood (@johnrw1979) January 2, 2021
Unlucky Celtic. Send Shane Duffy back to wherever he came from and start again. Rebuild. About all we can do now.
— Mark Sinclair (@sinky2785) January 2, 2021
Today was a must win game…. Time to send Duffy back doon the road, get a fresh management team in and to rebuild and a put in place a solid defence and get more width for next season 🍀
— 🍀ryan1mcq🍀 (@ryan1mcq) January 2, 2021
Even though it only is a loan deal for the season, there’s no questioning that Duffy has been an awful signing for the Bhoys. The fact Lennon seemed to trust Bitton more than an actual centre-back like the Irishman just delivered a damning statement on where the 29-year-old currently stands.
Peter Lawwell got this one all wrong.