FORMER Hamilton Accies boss Billy Reid insists new Bhoy Shane Duffy will soon be causing mayhem in Scottish penalty boxes.
The Brighton No.2 watched the man-mountain centre-back score the Republic of Ireland’s equaliser against Bulgaria on Thursday night.
Reid is adamant the 28-year-old colossus will be a great signing for the champions in their quest for a historic tenth successive title.
Duffy, who has sealed a season-long loan deal with his boyhood heroes, worked with Reid for a year and a half.
The south coast club’s assistant gaffer, speaking to the Sunday Mail, said: “Shane is a massive character in the dressing-room and I think it’s a coup for Celtic to get him.
“I have a great relationship with him and Celtic know what they’ve got. Neil Lennon has worked with Martin O’Neill, who had Shane in the Irish set-up. He’s different class.
“Celtic have got an absolute winner. He’s a beast in both boxes and he’ll cause mayhem up in Scotland.
“He’s a monster of a centre-back and I genuinely expect him to overpower people up in Scotland.
“He attacks the ball really well in both boxes and can head it for miles.
“He could be a colossus for Celtic this season. Listen, Duffy is a Premier League player. This isn’t a guy who’s on his last legs – he’s 28 and in his prime. It’s an incredible signing for Celtic.
“He is a rugged centre-half who loves defending his own box. Maybe that’s when he’s at his best.
“Of course, it will be a bit different at Celtic because they have a lot of the ball.
“But Shane can pass it as well. In terms of standard of player, he’s above the Scottish Premiership.
“No-one goes from the Premier League to Scotland these days. It’s the opposite – players in Scotland are trying to get to the Championship then to the Premier League.
“Shane has gone the other way because he wants to play for Celtic. He’ll be above the level of player up in Scotland.
“That’s the beauty of getting a player who happens to support the club.
“I didn’t think the deal would go through. I thought he’d go to a club like West Ham or West Brom in the Premier League, somewhere like that, but he had his heart set on playing there.”
Duffy will add his strength to that of Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer in the Hoops’ back line.
Reid added: “I’ve been asked about Duffy on the ball – can he play in a back three, for instance?
“Yes, he can play in the centre of a back three or on the right, no problem.
“Shane has been a regular at Brighton for three years – so Celtic are getting a real top player.”
