Duffy isn't a bad player, but he is the wrong type of defender for Celtic
The hands immediately went to the head. Shane Duffy knew he was partly culpable as Aberdeen went back ahead at Pittodrie on Sunday.
The Republic of Ireland international has had a very tough time of it since moving on loan to boyhood heroes Celtic from Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion. It only got tougher on Sunday as his side gave up another three goals in the 3-3 draw.
A simple ball was played down the channel. Despite having Scott Wright hot on his heels, Duffy was in control. He had four options: 1) knock the ball out for a throw-in; 2) attempt to pass it back to Scott Bain; 3) bring it under control and assess his next options ;4) try to hook it deftly over the Aberdeen attacker.
Options one and two are default for defenders. Number three may have been attempted by his centreback partner Kristoffer Ajer, but number four is a no-no. Doing so warrants the hoisting of red flags. Yet, that was the one chosen by Duffy.
What made it so egregious is that it was so un-duffy like and only added fuel to the blaze of gifs, memes, social media clips and laughter since the 28-year-old moved to Parkhead.
Following his signing, Celtic boss Neil Lennon said: "He is a leader and a warrior – someone with real ability and who will also give us that great physical presence.”
The battle par lance is often uttered when it comes to defenders. They are the ones “putting their bodies on the line” and Lennon wasn’t wrong. Duffy is a leader, having worn the armband while playing for Blackburn, Brighton and with Ireland, and there was no question he would add physical presence.
Atr Brighton, he made 130 appearances and it is clear to see what he excelled at and what kind of defender he is.
In the Seagulls’ first two season sin the Premier League, he played 72 of 76 matches. Under Chris Hughton, Brighton were in the lower echelons when it came to ball possession, and even more so with pressing. They were a reactive rather than proactive team and that suited Duffy's “warrior”-like qualities.
Across the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, Duffy blocked the third most shots in the Premier League. No player made more interceptions. He topped the charts for winning aerial due ls in his own penalty area. In 2018-19 only Virgil van Dijk was more successful in doing that.
Duffy is very good at defending in a particular style. Deep, in a team without the ball, on the edge of or inside the box and backs to the wall. It is little surprise he was fazed out by Graham Potter as he sought to make Brighton more proactive..
The issue arises when you consider what is required of Duffy in a Celtic top. Celtic don’t defend deep, they leave space in behind, they have a lot of the ball, defenders can act as de facto midfielders and concentration has to be on point because they need to be ready if a team counters.
What is being asked of Duffy is almost the opposite of what he is best suited for.
Duffy’ s form hasn’t been anywhere near good enough. But bigger picture, C el tic’ s decided to sign a defender who is adept in a particular style but looks out of depth and uncomfortable in the one which Celtic play.
He isn’t a bad player but he is a bad signing – and it points to bad recruitment on Celtic’s part.