Jamie Redknapp praised Shane Duffy for proving people wrong after he was ‘heavily criticised’ during his spell at Celtic last season, as he told Sky Sports (21/08/21 at 7:40 pm).
Brighton beat Watford 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, with Duffy opening the scoring and helping Graham Potter’s side maintain their 100% start to the new campaign.
For many Celtic players last season, it was an unforgettable time because, from top to bottom, the club produced its worst season in decades despite being in a situation where they could have had the historic ten in the bag.
Before Duffy stepped foot into Parkhead, it seemed like the perfect move, the one that fitted and looked right for all parties.
But it was far from it!
When Duffy returned to the Amex this summer, he would have been questioning his future, but Redknapp lauded the hard-hitting defender for turning things around.
“It will feel so good,” said Redknapp. “He got criticised heavily. A lot of people thought it would be the dream move to go up to Celtic.
“Go up there. Win the league. Of course, it didn’t work out that way. He didn’t play very well. His confidence would have been, to a certain extent, on the floor. So you never know quite what is going to happen.
“He has come back to Brighton and it couldn’t have gone any better for him. I spoke to Adam Lallana this morning and he said ‘give Shane Duffy a good mention’.
“And he has been proven right. He scored a goal and played so well.”
Duffy is still at the peak of his career, so he has a lot left in his tank to go again.
Given that Brighton lost Ben White to Arsenal this summer, there is certainly a gap in Potter’s defence for Duffy to fill this season.
And if he can maintain his performances then it will be some turnaround for the Irishman.
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