Shane Duffy’s spell at Celtic quickly turned from a dream move to a nightmare. However, it could now be cut short with Nottingham Forest keen to sign the defender.
The Irish international joined Parkhead in a £2m loan deal from Brighton in the summer, but has made continuous mistakes and fell below converted centre half, Nir Bitton, in the pecking order as back up to Jullien and Ajer.
Duffy left last week’s controversial Dubai training camp early for personal reasons, although Celtic insisted his time at the club wasn’t going to come to an end. A positive COVID case led to 14 players being out of the Bhoys next fixture and Duffy thus made an unexpected return to the team, where he was again questioned to some degree as Hibs scored a late equaliser.
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According to the Scottish Sun, Forest have now made an approach to Brighton about Duffy. The English Premier League club are happy to allow the move, but any transfer hinges on Celtic agreeing to cut short his costly loan and take a financial hit.
Neil Lennon has made no secret of the fact that Celtic are in the market for a central defender during this window. The club made a failed attempt to bring Filip Benkovic back from Leicester on loan, whilst Nick Hammond has reportedly been watching Declan Gallagher in action for Motherwell.
Those facts make a deal possible and Chris Hughton, who worked with Duffy at Brighton and believes he can help him recapture his best form. The Englishman now manages Nottingham Forest and wants to pair the experienced Irishman with Scotland capped Scott McKenna as Forest look to move away from relegation trouble.
Forest, touted as play-off candidates at the start of the campaign, have had a nightmare season and are only three points above the relegation zone having won just five league matches.
why would we want to sign another centre half when we have 5 quality centre halfs already here,,