New Celtic signing Shane Duffy has revealed that a Rangers star tried to prevent him from joining the Scottish champions in the transfer window.
With Celtic officially announcing the loan signing of Shane Duffy from Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday, the new Hoops defender shared his absolute delight at joining the club.
In an interview released by the club via Twitter and Celtic TV yesterday, self-proclaimed boyhood Celtic fan Shane Duffy expressed his delight, saying:
"“You could say there’s more pressure on me given I’m also a fan, but I’m a believer in my own ability and where I am in my career. I’m at a good age, I’m coming into my prime and, hopefully, Celtic fans will get to see me in my peak. I’m at a good stage now, I need some games to get up and running, but I’m just excited. I’m a solid defender who simply wants to keep the ball out of my net, and do anything to win at all costs.”"
He continued, describing how he hopes to help the club during a crucial season:
"“I’ll give everything for the club, for my team-mates and for me, and that’s always been my attitude towards football and life. If I can bring that to the team, then hopefully that can be good for everyone… It’s a huge (season) and I don’t need a reason to go to Celtic but If I ever needed one it is this year to make history.”"
Luckily for Hoops fans, they won’t have to wait long it seems to see the new defender get in on the action. The club confirmed that he will be joining his teammates in training this week and likely be inserted into the squad for a debut on Saturday against Dingwall.
Duffy has also performed fairly well in international play during the current break, helping Ireland to a late draw against Bulgaria last week, but sharing in an unlucky loss to Finland on Sunday.
Not everyone was enamored with Duffy’s move to Parkhead, including his ex-Brighton teammate Conor Goldson.
Duffy admitted to Herald Sport that Goldson, who has played for Rangers since 2018 after leaving Brighton, apparently tried to convince him not to join Celtic at first, saying:
"“He actually told me not to come, he said ‘stay away!’ But we have a good relationship. I am very close with Connor from my Brighton days. It’s a difficult one. It’s different up here but we are close so yeah…it’s an awkward one!”"
Having played together for three seasons at Brighton, it will be interesting to see Duffy and Goldson go at it when Celtic meet Rangers next month. Luckily, Shane showed no interest in making it easy for his ex-teammate and friend:
"“He is still my friend so it’s hard to tell what will happen because the rivalry is so fierce. He’s a mate but listen, when I play against him, he won’t be a mate. He will be the exact same!”"
In his past two seasons at Rangers, Goldson has 112 total appearances with just a runners-up League Cup finish to his name, while Duffy took home Brighton’s player of the year award in 2019.
Shane will look to be a potential defensive star for Celtic during their quest for a historic tenth-straight title this season, while Goldson and his currently 1st-in-table Rangers look to do everything they can to remain above the Hoops.