Former Celtic star has rubbished Shane Duffy claims

The former Celtic star has rubbished the Shane Duffy claims, as it looks the media is after the Republic of Ireland international merely weeks after joining the Hoops.

Shane Duffy’s Celtic debut has only helped heighten the hype surrounding the defender who the club managed to sign on a season-long loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in what was a massive coup for the Hoops. Defence has been an Achilles heel for this side as both Ajer and Jullien have struggled to cope up with physical forwards. Duffy is certainly someone who is expected to solve that problem and then some.

The Republic of Ireland defender made his debut against Ross County and the impact he has had on this team was clearly visible. Despite not playing regular football for almost a year now, he scored as well as kept a clean-sheet in a 5-0 rout. And his presence also allowed Neil Lennon to finally use the 3-5-2 formation, something that the fans have been calling for for a long time now.

And while Duffy without a doubt is someone who will improve this Celtic side, questions have been raised though regarding what impact this move will have on his own career.

A fully established international with the Republic of Ireland, it has been questioned though whether he will be able to keep his place after leaving the Premier League for the Scottish Premiership. Those claims have been rubbished by Celtic hero, Pierre van Hooijdonk.

Speaking with the Daily Record he said:

"“When I secured my place in the Dutch national team I was at Celtic and I asked the coach, Guus Hiddink, does it matter what league I am playing in?“He said the only thing that mattered was that I was playing well.“It was the same when I was moving to Nottingham Forest and there was a massive chance that we were getting relegated – would that influence my chances of being part of the Dutch squad for the 1998 World Cup?“Hiddink said if I play and do my job then he will pick me. That’s how it turned out. I was the only player in that Dutch World Cup squad who never played at the highest level.“The main thing is you do the business. Then you will get picked.”"

Duffy should not worry about his place in the international team if he continues to put in dazzling displays for the Hoops. On the contrary, his place would have been under much more threat if he had remained on the bench in the Premier League.