Celtic great Paul Lambert has urged new Hoops signing Shane Duffy to thrive under the unique pressure of playing for the club.
Duffy completed a season-long loan deal from Brighton earlier today, with Celtic finally shoring up their backline ahead of their 10-in-a-row push.
The Republic of Ireland international’s CV includes stints with Everton, Scunthorpe, Yeovil, Blackburn Rovers, and Brighton respectively. In other words, clubs that can get away with a defeat every couple of weeks.
However, at Parkhead, Duffy will be experiencing a pressure he’s never felt before in his footballing career. And speaking on BBC Sportsound yesterday, Lambert, who managed the defender at Blackburn, has encouraged him to thrive.
“It’s a great signing. He will head things you think people aren’t even going to put a foot in for. I’m pretty sure Shane will thrive in the atmosphere when the fans come back.
“But it will be the first time in his career that he is going to have to win every game. That’s the difference. I saw great players coming to Celtic and capitulating because they couldn’t handle the crowd.
“If you thrive on it, you’ll love it, if you think it will be a millstone round your neck, you’ll struggle.”
A mental challenge as opposed to a skillful one
When it comes to being aggressive and dealing with Scottish Premiership strikers’ talent, Duffy won’t have an issue.
Coming up against the likes of Anthony Martial, Sergio Aguero, and Jamie Vardy will ensure that the new man isn’t taken aback by any forward in Scottish football.
However, it’s the mental side of things that’s Duffy’s big challenge here. He can’t impress against Ross County in two weeks and then travel to St Mirren and have an off-day. One win every two weeks doesn’t cut it at Parkhead. That’s what the veteran will have to get used to.
Lambert is spot on to hammer this home. Whilst we’re all delighted to get Duffy on board, let’s not pretend this is no real challenge for him. He’ll have his obstacles, and it’ll be down to the Brighton-owned star to show us whether he can match the consistency we demand here.
But nothing will faze him up north. Even in the Europa League, Duffy won’t be concerned. He’s played at international level for Ireland including a couple of appearances at Euro 2016. He’s faced the best.
Having that level of experience in our back-line should be invaluable this season. Here’s hoping he has the consistency to match his ability.
In other news, Celtic are reportedly back in for a Premier League winger they were linked with in January.
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