‘Ticks all the boxes’: £40k-a-week Celtic target hailed by Sky Sports pundit

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Andy Walker believes that Celtic target Shane Duffy “ticks all the boxes” for Neil Lennon’s Hoops, in conversation with Sky Sports’ Scottish Football Podcast.

As previously reported by the Daily Record, Celtic are attempting to seal a loan deal for the Brighton defender as Lennon looks to bolster his team’s back line.

The Bhoys to confirmed to OTB Sports last week that “tentative enquiries” had been made over Duffy, a player reportedly also on the radar of English side West Ham.

“The centre of defence is where Celtic really need to strengthen,” former Celtic striker Walker told the Scottish Football Podcast.

“It is all very well dropping Kristoffer Ajer and bringing Nir Bitton in to play alongside Christopher Jullien.

“But you do need someone with a bit more bite and strength, maybe someone who is a bit more reliable, and I think Shane Duffy ticks all the boxes.”

The 6ft 4in defender has made 130 competitive appearances for Brighton and has won 33 caps for the Republic of Ireland, of which he is captain.

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Duffy, a boyhood Celtic fan, has been with the Seagulls since 2016 but got little game time last season, with just 21 appearances and 16 Premier League starts under his belt.

Brighton have also bolstered their ranks with Ben White’s return from Leeds and Netherlands international Joel Veltman joining from Ajax.

This could leave Duffy further surplus to requirements, and Celtic would certainly be a more solid outfit with him in their ranks.

Given the £40,000-a-week man is a Bhoy, the chance to make history with his beloved club would surely appeal to him.

However, competition from an English top-flight side cannot be underestimated, while the Hoops’ Champions League shock exit could also throw a spanner in the works.