Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DUFF AT THE TOP
Kenny claims Shane is at his peak ahead of defender’s move to Celtic
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND boss Stephen Kenny reckons Celtic are getting Shane Duffy at the peak of his career.
The Brighton defender is set to sign a one-year loan deal with the Scottish champions.
Duffy will be on the Irish team f light to Sofia this afternoon as Kenny ’s squad heads out f or T h u r s d ay ’s Na t i o n s League clash against Bulgaria.
The 28-yearold’s short-term deal could even be agreed before the international t eam’s d e p ar ture, with Parkhead chiefs set to win the battle over West Ham and West Brom for his services.
Kenny (inset), who will have Duf fy at his disposal f or the Bulgaria match and Sunday’s game in Dublin against Finland, says the centre-back will be heading to Glasgow i n the prime of his footballing life.
The Irish manager said: “I think it’s important for Shane.
“He is desperate to play. He is at the peak of his career.
“He has been a very strong personality for Ireland and for Brighton over the last few years.
“I’m sure a lot of managers would like to have Shane and, the type of player that he is, he needs to be playing. He knows that
“Whoever gets him will get a really, really competitive centre half who is tremendous in both boxes.
“He would be a real addition to whoever signs him.”
Celtic are poised to be that club, despite Brighton demanding a hefty loan fee and that Parkhead chiefs also stump up a l arge percentage of his salary for the campaign.
Brighton head coach Graham Potter is reluctantly letting Duffy go.
He said: “You understand the speculation with Shane because he is an important player, he is a big character and he wants to play football.
“You put two and two together and it’s an obvious one. But he has been fantastic for me and he has been great in the group.
“I understand he wants to play and we need to make those decisions at the right time for him and for the team.
“At this moment he is with us, he does his best every day and he is part of your group.”
Duffy’s signing would make him the fifth capture since the end of last term after £5million was paid each for goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas and striker Albian Ajeti.
S o u t h a m p t o n’s Mo h a m e d Elyounoussi rejoined on a second loan deal, while David Turnbull was secured for £3million from Motherwell.
Duffy may not be the final signing of the transfer window for Celtic, with manager Neil Lennon admitting at the weekend there may be “one or two” new faces in the door before the club’s next game against Ross County i n Dingwall on Saturday week.