SHANE TOUGHIE

Lennon hails defender’s character

NEIL LENNON insists Shane Duffy is back in business after the defender was ordered not to take Celtic’s 10 in a row woe to heart.

The Hoops boss recalled the on- loan Brighton centre back for Thursday ’s 3- 2 Europa League win against Lille after taking him out of the spotlight in the wake of a ropey run of form.

Lennon reckons Celtic fan Duffy was putting too much pressure on himself to perform – and he’s hoping the step back will help him going forward.

He said: “That was more like him. The little break out of the team has done him the world of good and he’s reinvigorated.

“I thought he played well the other night. He did what he had to do, he got his head on the ball, made some good blocks and was really physical.

“It’s been really tough for him with the amount of criticism he’s had to take. He has probably been taken a back because he’s probably not used to it.

“He’s worked really hard behind the scenes. I’ve told him to stop being so hard on himself.”

Lennon has a few decisions to make for Kilmarnock tomorrow after his fringe men stole the show against Lille.

Fans were raving about David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro and the manager admitted the midfield pair have made it tough for him to send them back in to the shadows this weekend.

Lennon said: “I was really pleased for Soro. It’s not been that easy for him. “But I’ ve really liked the look of him in training and he came in and was great the other night.

“He’s been a real bonus for us and it should give him a real shot in the arm.”