DUFFY HAS A LILLE PROBLEM, HE’LL BE OK

Celtic Europa League, 5.55

NEIL LENNON has held one-to-one talks with Shane Duffy, far right, to help the stopper pull through his turbulent start at Celtic.

The Parkhead gaffer, inset, is adamant his loan signing will prosper sper and emerge stronger from a difficult spell which has seen him make mistakes and face stinging criticism for performances since joining from Brighton.

Lennon is backing the 28-year-old to the hilt and, ahead of tonight’s Europa League crunch in Lille, has spoken with his centre-back to reinforce his belief in the defender and offer wholesome backing.

The boss, who has been boosted by the return of Odsonne Edouard and Nir Bitton, said: “He is a big strong boy. I had a chat with him the other night. He is feeling it obviously, but he knows he’ll come through it.

“We just need to show him a bit of patience. He made a mistake at the weekend [against Aberdeen]. The vitriol that comes after it is incredible, absolutely incredible.

“It is my job to support him and that t is exactly what I will do and I will support the other players as well. Shane needs to find his feet. He has had a bumpy week, nothing no more nothing less. It happens.”

Duffy is set to start tonight’s Group H clash in the Stade Pierre Mauroy and the manager is also ready to recall Scott Brown for the tie against the Ligue 1 high flyers. Greek goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas, who missed Sunday’s 3-3 at Pittodrie with a back problem, has also made the journey to France.