BBC pundit claims Brighton loanee was 'exploited' in underwhelming Sunday display

Celtic legend Pat Bonner has raised questions over Brighton loanee Shane Duffy following the Hoops’ 3-3 draw against Aberdeen on Sunday.
Brighton loanee Shane Duffy (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)Brighton loanee Shane Duffy (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Brighton loanee Shane Duffy (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

The 28-year-old made his tenth appearance for Neil Lennon’s side since joining on a temporary deal from the Seagulls in September, but couldn’t prevent the Bhoys from being pegged back in stoppage time by a late Lewis Ferguson penalty.

The Brighton man started the match at the centre of a back four alongside Kristoffer Ajer, with his new manager opting to alter the three-man defence he has preferred throughout much of the early stages of the campaign.

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But after an underwhelming display in the Europa League against AC Milan in midweek, Celtic legend Bonner was once again left questioning the Republic of Ireland international over the weekend, and in particular, his lack of mobility.

Speaking on BBC Sportsound in the aftermath of Sunday’s match, the former goalkeeper said: “The defensive side has let Celtic down today [Sunday], there’s no question about that.

"The worry for me slightly in a defensive situation, they’ve gone back to a back four now, but they were still exposed. Shane Duffy, has a lack of turn of speed, down the side of him especially.

"Throw it up in the air, and I’ve said it many times, there’s no better defender that will come and attack the ball. Sometimes he almost comes and wins things when he shouldn’t be coming, but in general he is very, very good in that department.

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"But it’s the balls down the side of him. He’s never been the quickest in the world. People are exploiting it now, they can see it, and again, Aberdeen exploited it at times.”

Duffy has struggled to hit his stride since arriving in Glasgow, and has looked low on confidence in recent weeks.

The centre-back’s slow start has been noticeable enough for Lennon to speak out in defence of the player in recent days, arguing that he needs time to shake off some of the rustiness that has lingered from a prolonged period out of the first team picture on the south coast.

Duffy played just five minutes of Premier League football from the beginning of July onwards for the Seagulls last season.

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The Celtic manager said: “He's only just in the door. He's been thrown in without any real preseason. He'll get better and better – and he'll be a stalwart for the team. The criticism on the team is justified at times, I get it. But some of it on individual players is unfair. People are looking at every nuance of every player. But you don't get the perfect player or perfect team.

“Shane didn't play any football for nine months. All of a sudden, he's played 14 games in about five weeks.

"I know he's under a bit of scrutiny because people are looking at him for some of the goals we've lost. But we can't pin that on Shane. As the season unfurls and goes along, he'll play a huge part.”