Celtic have endured a series of blows during a campaign that’s seen them fall 21 points behind their rivals
Shane Duffy’s first season in Scottish football has been far from ideal.
The boyhood Celtic fan achieved his dream of playing for the Hoops when he arrived on a season-long loan from Brighton in September, with Neil Lennon’s men having recently begun what they hoped would be the final season in their historic 10-in-a-row run.
Just four-and-a-half months on, the Scottish champions find themselves out of three cup competitions and 21 points behind Rangers in the title race.
Duffy has failed to settle in the centre of defence, turning in a series of unconvincing performance as Celtic’s weakness at the back has been repeatedly exploited.
Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday, now plying his trade at Hearts, is another who knows the feeling of enduring hard times at the club you grew up supporting.
Offering his take on Duffy’s performances while guesting on Si Ferry’s Open Goal podcast, Halliday said: “He looks as if he’s got no confidence whatsoever, none.
“Obviously I wasn’t on for the last Old Firm game but he was on for about two minutes and the ball dropped to him and he tried to flick it away with the side of his foot.
“It’s like he has no confidence at all.”
Duffy has made 22 appearances since arriving in Glasgow, but his place could be under threat this evening as a host of players return from self-isolation for the match against Livingston.
The two sides fought out a goalless draw as Lennon’s men turned in another uninspired performance at Celtic Park on Saturday, and this time they meet at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
A positive result for David Martindale’s side will extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches.
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