Duffy could be a Reds option

NOTTINGHAM Forest have been tipped to take a look at on-loan Celtic defender Shane Duffy.

The 29-year-old is due to spend the season with the Scottish giants, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, but after a bright start has endured a torrid time in recent weeks.

He has made 20 appearances for Neil Lennon’s side, but started the weekend’s Old Firm clash with Rangers on the bench.

He was brought on when Nir Bitton was sent off just past the hour mark, though he could not prevent his side from falling to a 1-0 defeat.

Celtic are said to have paid a loan fee of just under £2m for the centreback and are contributing a large chunk of his £45,000-a-week wages.

However, with Duffy struggling, BT Sport pundit Adam Virgo, who also made the move to Celtic from Brighton during his career, argues he is likely to be moved on.

And he believes a reunion with Reds boss Chris Hughton, who worked with him during his time in charge of the Seagulls, could be a possibility.

Virgo is quoted by the Scottish Sun as saying: “Unfortunately for Shane, he’s made too many mistakes which have led to goals.

“He finished at Blackburn before Brighton and went through a period of making mistakes and scoring own goals and when he first came to Brighton he really struggled.

“But the difference was Brighton clicked into gear and started winning. He’s had shaky games at Celtic but the team hasn’t performed.

“Neil’s going to be very brave to stick with him. I don’t think Shane can say he has not been given chances.

“I don’t see Shane going back to Brighton because he won’t get into the side. Why would they bring someone who’s struggled at Celtic back into a side that’s struggling too?

“Other clubs will take him in the Championship. I guarantee Chris Hughton, who had him at Brighton, would snap him up at Forest.”