Seamus Coleman has paid tribute to compatriot and Celtic defender Shane Duffy.
It’s been a very difficult year for the 29-year-old powerhouse on and off the field.
Duffy secured a dream loan move to Celtic last summer, some months after losing his father.
Despite a solid start to life at Parkhead, which included a couple of goals, the big man’s form has been up and down since then and he occasionally finds himself the target of social media trolls.
The Hoops were going for 10-in-a-row this season but lost the Premiership title by a landslide as Rangers cruised to a first league crown since 2011.
And Coleman has reiterated that Duffy’s form isn’t the reason behind their dismal campaign, claiming there are clearly much bigger issues at Celtic.
The Everton right-back told The Sun: “Shane Duffy is a warrior, Shane Duffy is a leader, I think all us Irish people have seen that over the years with his performances.
“Listen, he’s not had the easiest time over in Scotland. I’ve watched the games that he’s played and I don’t think Shane Duffy is the reason why things aren’t going the way they wanted up there, there’s a lot of other reasons, I’m sure, for it.”
Coleman is spot-on, if we’re honest.
Scapegoating Duffy for Celtic’s entire season is simply crazy and although he’ll be the first to admit that he hasn’t been good enough, the same applies to virtually every other Bhoy this season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
