Celtic have announced a season-long loan deal for Shane Duffy.
The Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back has joined his boyhood club for the 2020-21 campaign.
This season has barely started but already there are defensive frailties in Neil Lennon’s side, who were dumped out of the Champions League by Ferencvaros last week.
It was the second round of qualifiers for that competition and the earliest they’ve been eliminated from Europe’s elite competition in 15 years.
Duffy brings with him a wealth of experience in the Premier League and at international level, having played for the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016.
And John Hartson has described it as an ‘excellent signing’ on Twitter.
It definitely is a good signing, but at what cost?
With Kristoffer Ajer linked with a move away – Liverpool reportedly want the Norwegian powerhouse – then Duffy’s arrival could be seen as a pre-emptive move incase Ajer leaves.
Celtic are going for 10 Premiership titles in a row, and they won’t achieve their mission without squad depth.
If we’re honest, Lennon must do everything he can to keep Ajer because despite a few mistakes here and there, he’s a wonderful central defender and the Irish manager needs a healthy competition for places.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
