Chris Sutton comments on reported Celtic target Shane Duffy

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Chris Sutton has urged Celtic to complete their reported pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion defender Shane Duffy in the Daily Record’s Celtic podcast – claiming the Hoops miss a player that “really loves defending”.

Duffy, 28, could be allowed to leave Brighton this summer with his chances of game time severely reduced – after Graham Potter signed Joel Veltman from Ajax and has rejected Leeds United’s advances for Ben White.

The Daily Mail claim Celtic want to sign Duffy, with a £2million loan fee required – but face competition from West Ham and West Brom. Neil Lennon told Off The Ball that Celtic have made “tentative enquiries”.

Speaking to the Record’s Celtic podcast, Sutton stated that Ireland international and boyhood Celtic fan Duffy would be a good signing for the Hoops. He reckons Celtic lack a player such as Duffy, that loves to defend.

“There’s talk of Shane Duffy and he would be a good signing,” Sutton said. “He is a defender that really loves defending – that is a dying art in the modern game. Celtic have missed someone like that, someone to attack the ball.”

TBR’s view – Celtic need a defender, even if not Duffy

Duffy is an excellent centre-back, with bags of experience at the highest level and 33 caps for his national side. He would be a stunning signing, even if Celtic did spend £2million to get him on loan this summer.

But The Hoops should not throw all their eggs into one basket. They need a centre-back and if the deal to get Duffy – given the player and the competition – is difficult, nobody could blame them for trying to sign a lesser player.

It remains to be seen how much of Duffy’s £40,000-a-week (Spotrac) contract would be paid by Celtic – if they get him on loan.