SHANE FORGOT FEELING
BY MARK MCCADDEN
SHANE DUFFY has pledged to return to form next season – and put the nightmare of the past year at Celtic behind him.
The Ireland defender signed off last night with a man of the match performance in Ireland’s scoreless draw with Hungary in Budapest.
Next up is a summer holiday – and then it’s back to pre-season at Brighton, where he is determined to win back his place with the Premier League side.
Paying tribute to the faith shown by Stephen Kenny, Duffy (left) said: “It’s always tough when you go through a spell like that and I think most footballers do in some part of their career.
“I’ve gone through it, I’ve got a great manager here who trusts me.
“I’ve got no complaints about not playing in the team. I’ve tried to play my role, I’ve tried to help the younger lads.
“I haven’t been playing football, so I give total belief and thanks to the manager for giving me a game first and foremost. I enjoyed it again, I sort of forgot what it felt like to play football.
“Hopefully that’s the bad bit over and with a little rest I’m ready to be back next season, kick on and show everyone how good I am.”
Duffy was impressed by both goalkeepers – Gavin Bazunu and Caoimin Kelleher – and added they wouldn’t be the only options to face Portugal in September.
“We are blessed with them,” he said. “And Travs [Mark Travers] there as well and [Darren]
Randolph at home.
“We can trust every one of them. I’m happy I’m not the manager who’s picking it.”