Celtic hero Shane Duffy has touched on the text message he received from Damien Duff before he went on to the Dingwall turf and bagged a debut goal.
Duffy showed his aerial prowess in a dominant first performance for the Champions in our 5-0 Highland cruise yesterday vs Ross County.
Indeed, with Celtic already 2-0 up and controlling the game, Duffy rose superbly to bullet home a header from a corner for 3-0. For supporters watching on, it felt like a real sign of things to come from the Irishman this season.
However, it may not have been how he pictured his debut given it was only in front of 300 fans and at a less than glamorous stadium. Duffy disclosed a message given to him by former Hoops coach Damien Duff pre-match that very much took that narrative.
As quoted by the Daily Record, Duffy said: “Damien Duff texted me and said, ‘I know it’s not what you dreamed of, going to Dingwall in front of 300 fans playing for Celtic’.
“But it was still a special moment. It was straight off the sweet spot, I attacked it well. It was obviously a proud moment for me, it was something I’ve always wanted to do and now I’ve done it. I’ll be proud when I look back tonight and reflect on the game, and my mum and that will be proud.
“I’m happy it’s sort of over with now and I can just focus on the rest of the season and concentrate on the games.”
Couldn’t have gone better
For Duffy, it was the debut dreams are made of. Hammering the opposition 5-0, getting on the scoresheet, and keeping a clean sheet. Nothing could’ve gone better.
If we’re being picky, there was one moment in the first-half when he allowed the ball to run and nearly allow County’s Ross Stewart in on goal. But even Duffy’s recovery challenge for that one was mightily impressive as he scooped up the danger.
There’s an air of confidence without the arrogance with Duffy that was on show yesterday. He plays with humility, and there wasn’t one moment yesterday when he wasn’t giving his opponents respect. He was always switched on.
Duff’s text may have been jovial, but for Duffy this was a proud moment. Being able to pull on the Hoops for the first time and bag a goal in your opening match? There was nothing every day about what happened in Dingwall when you look at things through Duffy’s eyes.
Next up is a trip to St Mirren on Wednesday as we look to continue building up our momentum. Ever since the draw with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, Celtic have racked up three wins with three clean sheets.
With the goals starting to flow and the defence taking shape, it finally looks as though Neil Lennon is starting to get this Celtic team clicking again.
In other news, QPR boss Mark Warburton laughed off speculation regarding Celtic-linked Bright Osayi-Samuel.
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