Shane Duffy has had a difficult start to his Celtic career. Well, that’s not strictly true. The big Irish defender scored in a 5-0 rout of Ross County on his debut so his start wasn’t THAT bad, it was how he carried on after is what the on loan defender has struggled with.
A Celtic fan since he was a boy, playing for the Hoops is something he has dreamed abut all his life and when that dream was realised in August this year, Duffy couldn’t hide his joy at signing for his boyhood hero’s, “It’s all I knew growing up and I’m really excited. It’s took a little while to get it done, but I’m over the moon. It’s a huge season. I don’t need a reason to go to Celtic, but if there ever was one it’s the chance to make history. To have the chance to be a part in 10 in a row is a huge honour”
He gets it. When some people in the team don’t understand the history of the club or why getting to the “Ten” is so important, Duffy does. And yesterday, finally, it showed. A much improved performance from the big man helped the side to a comfortable 2-0 win over Kilmarnock. But even then, Duffy is humble enough to admit his performances where not up to the standard required and he understood the fans frustrations at this but opened up to the personal struggles going on behind the scenes,
“The Celtic fans haven’t seen me before and since I’ve come into the club I haven’t been me.
“I understand the criticism. I wouldn’t be happy with myself either to be honest, if I was watching me play from the stands.
“I’m realistic and know what levels I can get to.
“I’ll just keep chipping away and it’ll be a lot more than this to keep me down.
“I’ve had a tough year and no-one really sees what goes on behind the scenes in people’s lives.
“My dad was a massive part of my life and I lost him.
“It’s hard as he was the one I’d speak to about everything in life. My two kids also live back in Derry and I’m up here alone”
A frank and open interview from Duffy and Celtic fans will be hoping that he will kick on from here and push the team in the title race.