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Duffy hasn't played for Celtic since February. Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/PA Images

Ireland star Shane Duffy ends Celtic spell after 'a tough year on and off the field'

The defender endured a torrid time following a loan move to his boyhood club.

SHANE DUFFY HAS thanked Celtic fans and team-mates for helping him through a “tough year”.

Duffy said farewell to Celtic on social media amid reports that an injury has ruled him out of the last two games of the Scottish Premiership season.

The Republic of Ireland defender endured a torrid time at his boyhood heroes after signing on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion last September.

The 29-year-old scored in his first two appearances but soon suffered a loss of form and confidence as Celtic’s season crumbled and their hopes of a 10th consecutive title slipped away.

Duffy posted a photograph of the high point of Celtic’s campaign, them collecting the Scottish Cup following the previous season’s delayed final in December.

The centre-back played 90 minutes at Hampden Park before Celtic clinched the trophy on penalties following a 3-3 draw with Hearts after extra-time.

He wrote on Instagram: “Grateful for the opportunity to get the chance to play for a club that many dream about doing. Thanks to the supporters and the players for helping me through a tough year on and off the field. Not many know what goes on behind the scenes.

“Time to hit [the] restart button and get myself sorted. Celtic Football Club will always have a place in my heart.”

Duffy has two years remaining on his Brighton contract.

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    Mute Niall James Fergal McCormack
    Favourite Niall James Fergal McCormack
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    May 7th 2021, 1:44 PM

    Pity it didn’t work out for whatever reason . Hopefully gets a decent move and get back in form for Ireland !

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    Mute Martin Glynn
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    May 7th 2021, 1:44 PM

    Nightmare season. Hopefully he can bounce back.

    138
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    Mute C_O'S
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    May 7th 2021, 5:27 PM

    He had a tough year last year with the sudden death of his dad and another family member 2 months before that. Grief can effect us all in different ways Irish fans should remember how he survived a horrific injury when playing for republic of Ireland and came back 100%. Hope he will climb back up again at Brighton or Derby next season.

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    Mute john howard
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    May 7th 2021, 3:22 PM

    Many thanks Shane for your efforts. Misfortunate to join a club that was being badly managed and in decline.

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    Mute john malonoy
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    May 7th 2021, 4:04 PM

    @john howard: His a player in decline any good thats why brighton wanted rid of him

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    Mute Brian Les
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    May 7th 2021, 4:43 PM

    @john malonoy: Brighton try and play football from the back. Not Duffys greatest strength but he’s a good player. Do well in a direct team like villa

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    Mute Michael Mitchell
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    May 7th 2021, 9:25 PM

    @Brian Les: He wouldn’t get near the villa team tbh.

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    Mute Ger
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    May 7th 2021, 4:35 PM

    Form is temporary but class is permanent. He has never let Ireland down and no doubt he’ll find a new club and be back to his brilliant best soon.

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    Mute cork rebel
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    May 7th 2021, 6:54 PM

    @Ger: class? 3rd class and should be kept back for 2 years.

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    Mute OneClubSince1888
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    May 7th 2021, 6:35 PM

    Thank you Shane. All the best.

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    Mute Peter Murphy
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    May 7th 2021, 3:22 PM

    Another case of a player coming from England thinking he is on easy street and then finds out it is not really that easy in Scotland.

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    Mute John Martin
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    May 7th 2021, 3:32 PM

    @Peter Murphy: found the the drop in class too much i reckon ! Scotland ffs dont make me laugh

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    Mute vincent
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    May 7th 2021, 4:02 PM

    @John Martin: he is being linked with Derby. FFS

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    Mute Ricky Wright
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    May 7th 2021, 4:39 PM

    @Peter Murphy: How do you know he found it “easy street”? Do you know him?

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    Mute Fred spins kdb
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    May 7th 2021, 8:32 PM

    @vincent: football is a fickle game. Was being linked to arsenal 18 months ago.

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    Mute Charmaine ☘ Irish
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    May 7th 2021, 10:36 PM

    Let’s support Celtic because we’re Irish fans… make ya sick…. Duffy was and still has a lot to give to the Irish team.. his personal life hadn’t been great this year and it reflected on his performance.. anyone disrespecting him ain’t a true fan..

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    Mute Ricky Wright
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    May 8th 2021, 3:02 AM

    @Charmaine ☘ Irish: What’s a true fan? Are you the gatekeeper on this?

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    Mute Niall Bonnar
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    May 7th 2021, 7:26 PM

    One of the worst players i ever seen in a Celtic jersey in my many years of watching the Hoops…good riddance!

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    Mute Mickety Dee
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    May 7th 2021, 7:41 PM

    @Niall Bonnar: Ouch

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    Mute Eamon Haughton
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    May 7th 2021, 8:31 PM

    Heard a whisper he’s off to Barcelona with Greg Hendricks :) :)

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    Mute Alan Clarke
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    May 8th 2021, 3:09 AM

    @Eamon Haughton: who’s Greg Hendricks? you don’t even know the names of players you’re trying to slag off. shush now…go comment on something you actually know something about

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    May 8th 2021, 12:04 AM

    Shamrock rovers are as good as Celtic

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    Mute OneClubSince1888
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    May 8th 2021, 1:02 PM

    @Tony Mcgrath:
    There’s always one. Hurry back, your village is missing you.

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