McLeish: ‘I was wrong’ about ‘game-changer’ Duffy as footage emerges
Alex McLeish has admitted he was bitterly disappointed with how Shane Duffy’s loan move to Celtic turned out.
The former Scotland boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he tipped the 29-year-old to be a “game-changer” at Parkhead.
Reports last week claimed Duffy had had his loan spell at Celtic cut short before Brighton posted a video of him back training on the south coast.
His last league outing came back in February and he did not play under interim boss John Kennedy.
McLeish insisted Celtic’s style simply did not suit the centre-back’s lack of pace and mobility.
Asked if Duffy had been the biggest disappointment at Celtic this season, McLeish told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge: “Yeah. I thought way back, in the beginning, he may have even been a game-changer.
“But when I saw Shane in action, because of the style of play Brighton played, that’s when I realised that I was wrong about that. Brighton tended to sit back a wee bit. Graham Potter’s playing a different style of football but Chris (Hughton) kept them in the Premier League through a strong defence.
“Staying in the Premier League is an amazing feat, Chris is a great coach. Shane was happier in that kind of role rather than being an all-attacking team.
“With Celtic moving high up the field, I thought maybe he just didn’t have the legs because of lack of games. You can see he’s not the quickest in the world and that kind of defending didn’t suit him.”
Duffy played 27 times across all competitions for the Bhoys.
He made an impressive start with two goals in his opening two games but struggled for form as the season progressed.
In other news, Frank McAvennie has revealed “whispers” over new Celtic manager.