It has been widely reported that the deal to bring Shane Duffy to the club has been complete today. The signing, a huge coup and one that is popular with the fans, is expected to be announced in the coming hours. Bringing Duffy to the club sures up the defence and brings a much needed centre half into the frame. He is an aggressive, no nonsense defender, who will hopefully complement the technical ball playing styles of Ajer and Jullien. What Duffy also brings to the club is a commitment to the cause beyond professional pride.
An Irishman from Derry, who grew up supporting Celtic, Shane Duffy knows what this season means to so many and, like Neil Lennon, he can bring that fan figure to the dressing room, which has been missing since Kieran Tierney departed. Coming in on loan from the English Premiership, with some of his wages being paid by Brighton and a rumoured option to buy involved in the deal, it has all the hallmarks of a shrewd bit of business by the Celtic board and kudos to them for that.
The first of September is somewhat of a special day for Celtic in the transfer market. Indeed, it was on this date, back in 2000 that the Hoops made two of their best value signings in the modern era. Alan Thompson signed for the club from Aston Villa at a cost of £2.75m and Didier Agathe joined from Hibernian for £50,000!
Both men would be stalwarts of the Seville team, giving lengthy service to the club and playing in what many would consider the greatest team in Celtic’s history since the Quality Street Gang.
Didier racked up well over 100 appearances for the club, winning three league titles and Scottish cups as well as a League Cup, a treble and runners up medal in the UEFA Cup. He then moved on to Aston Villa to rejoin Martin O’Neill in January 2007. Agathe was one of the fastest men to ever don the hoops and was converted from a striker to a right wing back when he joined the club. At £50,000 he was an absolute bargain, even if he could frustrate at times.
As for Alan Thompson, it goes without saying that he represents one of the best value for money purchases in recent times. Thompson became the first Celtic player to be capped by England whilst still playing for the club. He scored goals against mega opposition, including crucial strikes against Barcelona, Liverpool and Bayern Munich; meanwhile he racked up seven goals against Rangers. Renowned for his incredible free kick taking ability and scoring some absolute stunning long range efforts, Thompson was incredibly important during the run to Seville and beyond. So good was he on the ball that John Robertson likened his passing to David Beckham and described his left foot as a wand. Alan won the treble upon arriving at Celtic and left the club for Leeds in 2007, having won four league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups. He also collected the runners up medal in Seville.
Overall, these two men were pivotal on each wing during an extremely successful period in Celtic’s history. To get them both for under £3m was an incredible piece of business.
