New Celtic recruit Shane Duffy has reflected on an “emotional” evening that saw him net a late equaliser for the Republic of Ireland against Bulgaria.
The Hoops centre-back marked his big move in style by netting a 93rd minute header for an Ireland team that he captained in Sofia.
But it was his late father Brian who was on his mind as he celebrated the goal.
The 28-year-old’s dad died in May, and Duffy admits it’s been a pretty difficult time for him since.
“It’s been a tough year for me personally and on the pitch, so it was nice to get back out there and playing football again”, he said, as was reported by the Daily Record.
“It was tough of course, it’s the first game where he’s not been here. So emotional, of course.
“But I’m a professional, I want to play football and focus on the game.
“I know he’s there for me, I’d say last minute there he was probably looking down on me.
“But yeah I’m a professional, I want to get on with my career, I want to move on and be strong and keep going and that’s what I aim to do.”
Duffy scoring for Ireland was strange
It’s hard not to feel there’s something written in the stars about Duffy and Celtic this season.
He’s come up to his boyhood club in our biggest season in living memory. The stars have aligned, and so soon after such a heartbreaking event in his life.
The fact he scored so late for Ireland last night may be a sheer coincidence. But many Celtic fans will believe there is something else going on behind the scenes.
The big man could be an absolute rock for us this season. And if he nets a few more goals like the one for his country in Sofia, he’ll be adored by the fans too.
In other news, Celtic fans have been reacting to the prospect of Tom Rogic staying at the club this season
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
