SHANE DUFFY’S calamitous Celtic career is finally over.
SunSport understands the Republic of Ireland star has been sent back to Brighton after an injury ruled him out of the final two Scottish Premiership games against St Johnstoneand Hibernian.
Defender Duffy cost a £2million loan fee and wages of £30,000-plus a week – totaling around £3m – and yet his time at Parkhead was an unmitigated disaster.
The 29-year-old arrived from Brighton last September on a season-long loan having been out of the picture at the Amex Stadium.
And Duffy started off brilliantly, scoring in his first two games and helping deliver five clean sheets from seven straight victories.
But his Celts spell started to unravel following a desperate display in a 2-0 home defeat to Rangers in October and it quickly got worse to the point where he became a ridiculed figure.
Duffy was constantly exposed at home and in Europe, the worst being during the 4-1 humiliating defeat to Sparta Prague at Parkhead in the Europa League.
The international skipper left Celtic’s hugely controversial Dubai trip in January after just a few days and after that he struggled to revive his fortunes for the fallen nine-in-a-row champions.
Duffy was dire in a draw at Livingston and home defeat to St Mirren.
His last appearance was back in February on Valentine’s Day, a 2-1 victory over St Johnstone.
But there was never a love affair with the supporters, even though when he signed they were largely delighted he’d been brought to the club by Neil Lennon.
Duffy – who has42 caps for the Republic – managed just 22 starts within 27 appearances, scoring three goals.
He has two years left of his Brighton deal.
Brighton are mulling over a move for West Brom loan star Mbaye Diagne.
Senegal striker Diagne, 29, has impressed at the Hawthorns since arriving temporarily from Galatasaray in January, hitting three Premier League goals.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
