SHANE AGAIN

It’s two Celtic matches and two goals for Ireland defender Duffy

HEAD BHOYS James Forrest thunders in the winner and, below, Duffy after his goal

SHANE DUFFY has been warned he’ll lose his place in the Republic of Ireland defence by signing for Celtic.

At this rate he’s going to get a game for them up front.

Mouthy compatriot Gary Breen believes Duffy will get it too easy at the back in Scotland. One thing is for sure, the defenders in the opposition aren’t going to get such a luxury when he’s attacking dead balls.

For the second time in his first two games Duffy rose to net a headed set-piece strike.

And while he is renowned for scoring with his napper, you can’t say the same about James Forrest.

So when the little attacker decided to do an impressive impersonation of the big defender to grab a winner, it brought a decisive conclusion to this fixture saga.

Postponed a month ago due to Boli Bolingoli’s stupidity, it was a game-in-hand chance to recover ground t h a t Ne i l Lennon’s men duly accepted.

Victory has moved them into second. A win over Livingston on Saturday and they’ll be top. It has worked out fine in the end for Lennon but it’s just been another pain for counterpart Jim Goodwin.

Emergency signing Zdenek Zlamal did his bit with a superb penalty save from Odsonne Edouard.

But despite a goal two minutes into his first start for striker Lee Erwin that gave the home side a flying start, it’s now 22 games since a Saints win over the Parkhead side.

Domestically it was the first time Celtic had fallen behind this season.

Duffy levelled after 21 minutes, directing in Ryan Christie’s free kick for a basic finish.

Thundering in like Duffy to meet a tempting cross with his head is not Forrest’s forte yet the winger did just that to meet Christie’s delightful ball and give his side the lead nine minutes before the break.

Lennon said: “It was a bullet. We were all taken aback by it on the bench and rubbing our eyes.”

In the second half Zlamal saved Edouard’s spot kick with 16 minutes left, diving l ow to his right to push clear.