Former Celtic boss John Barnes has backed under-fire defender Shane Duffy, after a tough start to life in Glasgow since signing on a season-long loan from Brighton.

As reported by the Glasgow Times, Barnes added that he believes despite facing heavy criticism, Duffy has ‘played well’ since joining his boyhood heroes in the summer and will continue to do so when the team pick up some consistency.

“Duffy’s loan move from Brighton came with plenty of excitement and rightly so. I don’t think he’s had a hard time adapting, or adjusting, to the club; he’s played well.

“He’s joined a team that have lost several matches, and that’s never fun, and it’s easy to blame the ‘new boy’. It’s strange times just now and you also play without any crowd, which is starting to impact the players more and more.

“But Shane Duffy is a good player so once Celtic find that much needed consistency. I think he’ll play an important role this season.”

It doesn’t look as though Barnes has been watching a lot of Duffy this season as it would be fair to say that the Irishman hasn’t had the greatest time since joining and has faced heavy criticism from the support.

In yesterdays fixture against Motherwell, he was dropped to the bench and came on as a late sub to replace the injured Kristoffer Ajer.

Duffy came in with a lot of expectation and was a big summer signing. He definitely hasn’t lived up to that standard as of yet. I think there is still a chance he will come good for us as to play in the Premier League you have to be a good player.

Hopefully, we can see that side to him possibly after a few games out of the side.