Pundit Exclusive: Celtic 'Monster' tipped for axe v Hibs after being caught out

Frank McAvennie has tipped Celtic to axe Shane Duffy against Hibernian on Saturday after being caught out by the breakneck pace of the Scottish Premiership.

The Parkhead legend, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, is adamant that Nir Bitton will retain his place alongside Kristoffer Ajer unless Christopher Jullien returns from injury.

Duffy was dropped for the 4-1 win at Motherwell prior to the international break, the Republic of Ireland having previously started all 12 of Celtic's games since his arrival.

The Brighton loanee has been widely criticised for his performances this season despite an electric start which saw him score two goals in his first two games.

McAvennie backed Duffy, hailed a "monster" by his former opponent Gabby Agbonlahor, to come good for the Hoops but insisted that he "must adjust".

"If Jullien is not back Neil Lennon will keep Bitton in there," he told Football Insider. "The boy Duffy has come up and his struggles have been well documented.

"I know he is a Celtic supporter but a lot of people think it is easy up here.

"He played a couple of games and scored a couple of goals and he must have thought it was easy but Scottish football is hard. It is not the diddy league that people think it is. You get no time on the ball. People are down your neck.

"He has got to adjust. He will be sitting on the bench and taking it all in because he is a great player and a good pro.

"It has not happened so far and I do not think he will be brought back in yet. When he comes back in I think he will come good." 

In other Celtic news, McAvennie over the moon at big update that will be a 'massive relief for Neil Lennon'.