SHANE DUFFY HAS been praised by Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter amid reports that the Republic of Ireland defender is set to spend a year on loan with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
Opportunities at Brighton look likely to be limited again this season for Duffy, who was restricted to just 13 Premier League starts during the 2019-20 campaign.
A central defensive pairing of Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster was favoured by Potter, whose options have increased following Ben White’s return from a loan spell at Leeds United. The Seagulls have also signed versatile Dutch international defender Joel Veltman.
Dunk, Webster and White formed a three-man defence for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Chelsea, with Duffy forced to settle for a run-out from the bench.
As well as Celtic, the Derry native has been the subject of reported interest from West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United in recent weeks.
“You understand the speculation with Shane because he’s an important player and an important character and he wants to play football,” Potter told Sussex Live when addressing Duffy’s future.
“So of course, people are putting two and two together and it’s an obvious one. But he’s been fantastic for me.
“I understand he wants to play. We need to take those decisions at the right time for him and for the team. But for the moment, he’s with us and he does his best every day. He’s part of our group.”
After helping Brighton to achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2017, Duffy missed a total of just three games over the course of the club’s first two top-flight seasons.
Despite being rewarded with a new long-term contract in 2018, the 28-year-old has slipped down the pecking order since Potter replaced Chris Hughton as manager last summer.
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Methinks, not treated the best by Potter.
From an Irish perspective first team football is crucial for Duffy. With Ben White being kept at Brighton, seen as they has turned down a 30 million bid you’d think he’ll be above Duffy in the pecking order.
I think the best move for Duffy now to get regular games might be a loan move to Celtic. I wouldnt like to see him in the Scottish league for more than one season though which is why i think a loan move is best.
Next summer then there might be better options for a permanent move.
@Gareth Ward: He’s too good to be playing in the Scottish league in my opinion. Definitely good enough to be playing for some premier league side
@Miguel Sanchez: Agreed but there doesn’t seem to be many decent interested teams in the premier league though
@Gareth Ward: doesn’t have to be a top prem team, even playing every week for one of the new boys would be better prep for Ireland games than playing for Celtic (particularly now they won’t be in champions league).
I’d say/hope he is holding out for an approach from prem knowing Celtic will snap the hand off him if he does go back to them.
(Not trying to have a pop at Celtic here, looking purely at what’s best for Ireland)
@Gareth Ward: West brom would suit
@Gareth Ward: either West Brom or an improving West Ham team would be a good move for him. I agree with the previous poster and he is far too good to play for Celtic. Personally I think he is a better defender than either Dunk or Webster and offers a threat from set pieces. He’s just coming into his prime now. He should definitely be able to stay in the premiership
@Ger: West ham look fairly solid at center back with ogbonna and diop. So its hard to see him breaking in there
@Ger: Well does Graham what ever his name is value your opinion?
Obviously not as he wants to off load Shane Duffy.
So realistically a loan season with Celtic could be good for all parties.
Duffy is a Celtic supporter and reports suggest he wants this loan move.
Shore up a porous Celtic defence by doing the business and who knows like Virgil Van Dijk before him becomes more than a sought after defender again
Meanwhile Brighton will be happy to sell if they get relegated – which is a distinct possibility.
QED.
I hope he join Celtic on loan so that he has a chance to win silverware especially aiming for the 10 in a row SPL titles!
@Mícheál Moran: Would the equivalent of a League One title satisfy a man with almost 100 premier league appearances? He has to be looking at staying in the top league or at the very least a decent championship team. He may as well move back to the Brandywell as traipse up to Glasgow.
@M:
Ah I know but if a Premiership club don’t snap him soon before the transfer window close then he should go to the SPL.
Crystal Palace should snap him up, mad he can’t get a game
Sometimes in football, you’re face does not fit with the manager, then it’s time to go. Duffy is too good not to be playing regularly
He’s a premier league centre half, to good for the championship ,one of the best in the air in the league , only 28 ,good age for a CB very surprised a top 6 club have not came in
Celtic really do need a few signings