DUFF TO CELTIC AS IRELAND TRACK REDMOND
DAMIEN DUFF is one of the Bhoys after bagging the assistant manager’s job with the Celtic Under-20s. The 100-times capped Republic of Ireland winger saw off four other rivals on the shortlist and is due to take up his new role in January. Duff, 39, attended Celtic’s Europa League game against Salzburg on Thursday night in Parkhead and his appointment is expected to be confirmed shortly. Since retiring in 2015, the Dubliner has thrown himself into coaching, initially with the Ireland U15s before joining the staff of Shamrock Rovers in the summer of 2016. In February of last year, Duff was appointed manager of Rovers’ U15s. Celtic U20s are managed by Tommy McIntyre, compete in the SPFL Reserve League and play their home games in Cappielow Park, Greenock. Last month, Duff confirmed he was in talks with Celtic over the vacancy, revealing that he’d ‘swim over’ to work for Celtic, whom he described as ‘an amazing club’. On the senior Ireland front, Nathan Redmond could emerge as an ace in Mick McCarthy’s pack for the Euro 2020 qualifiers. The 24-year-old Southampton winger is eligible to declare for Ireland through Irish-born grandparents on his mother’s side. McCarthy is eager to strengthen the squad and together with the FAI, is currently tracking all players with Irish ancestry, including Redmond. Birmingham-born, Redmond has played once at senior level for England as a substitute but under FIFA rules can switch allegiance as that game, against Germany in March 2017, was a friendly. It remains to be seen if Redmond is receptive to an approach but having him available for Euro 2020 would be a huge plus for McCarthy. Meanwhile, Keith Buckley has re-signed for Bohemians ahead of the 2019 season. Buckley, 26, has totted up 172 League appearances in two spells for the Gypsies.