Neil Lennon calls criticism of Celtic defender Shane Duffy 'absolutely shocking'

Neil Lennon has strongly defended summer signing Shane Duffy over widespread criticism of the defender for his recent performances, calling it “absolutely shocking”.

Shane Duffy has come into criticism for his performances since moving to Celtic this summer. Picture: SNS

The Celtic manager watched his side fail to win any of their three games in the space of eight days, losing 2-0 and 3-1 at home to Rangers and Milan, respectively, before a 3-3 draw with Aberdeen.

Irish international Duffy, brought in on loan from Brighton for the 2020/21 campaign, was suspect for at least one goal in each of those games as the reigning champions slipped six points behind the Glasgow rivals in the title race.

Former Celtic attacker Kris Commons, who played under Lennon during the manager’s first spell in charge at Parkhead, called the centre-back “rank rotten” and a “bombscare” while also questioning why Duffy wasn’t receiving the kind of treatment Efe Ambrose used to receive from the media and supporters during his time in Glasgow.

His manager, however, believes the player is being unfairly targeted, going as far as to describe it as ‘abuse’. And he is fully backing the 28-year-old to silence the doubters once he’s found his feet.

Lennon, who also insisted there is no justification for him to be sacked, said: "Players getting singled out and abused, it is absolutely shocking. If that's the way of the modern world. I am glad I am not a player any more.

"Shane needs to find his feet. He has had a bumpy week, nothing more nothing less. It happens. I am not happy with the treatment he is getting from certain quarters of the media. I think it is hysterical. Comments that he is rank rotten and he is a bombscare. I find that ridiculous.

"He is a quality player. The personal, banging the drum with certain players is unacceptable. He made a mistake, he shouldn't be hung out to dry for it. He has my full support, he has the team's full support.

"I have seen millions of players come in here and take time to find their feet and then go on to have brilliant careers.

"There is a clear lack of respect for the players, management and backroom staff at the minute because of one bad week."

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