On the latest episode of PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show, Peter Martin, Tam McManus, Hugh MacDonald and Alan Rough have been discussing the latest goings-on at Celtic.
One topic of discussion on the recent episode was reported Celtic transfer target, Shane Duffy. The Brighton centre-back has been linked with a move to Parkhead in recent weeks, although West Ham have also been credited with an interest in the Republic of Ireland international.
Here’s what McManus had to say about the potential signing of the 28-year-old:
“He’s a good player, I don’t think he’s outstanding but he’s what Celtic are needing, an aggressive centre-back who can go win the ball, win headers, win tackles, defend the penalty box and [Christopher] Jullien beside him, [it would] let him come out with the ball and play.
“Celtic are missing a physical centre-half and I think he ticks a lot of boxes, Duffy. If it’s a loan deal, I think it would be a great signing for Celtic.”
TIF Thoughts…
McManus certainly feels that Duffy would be a stellar addition to Neil Lennon’s side, as he feels that the Parkhead outfit are missing a ‘physical centre-half’ and that the Brighton man fits that criteria.
The 28-year-old made just 19 appearances in the Premier League last season, averaging a solid, if unspectacular, 6.71 rating (per WhoScored).
The centre-back averaged 3.7 clearances per game for the Seagulls last season, which was the highest in the Brighton squad (per WhoScored), which perhaps backs up McManus’ point that he is a physical, arguably no-nonsense, centre-back. It will be interesting to see if Lennon’s side can secure Duffy’s signing in the coming weeks.