---
title: "Celtic: Neil Lennon could lose Shane Duffy in January after ‘really strange’ development"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-neil-lennon-could-lose-shane-duffy-in-january-after-really-strange-development/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2020-12-09T19:30:13Z"
modified: "2020-12-09T19:30:13Z"
---

# Celtic: Neil Lennon could lose Shane Duffy in January after ‘really strange’ development

**Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-exclusive-celtic-tipped-to-bin-28-yr-old-in-january-after-2-5m-pay-out/), regular Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson has tipped Neil Lennon to be hit with a potentially big January blow as he claims that the Celtic hierarchy could cut short the loan deal of Shane Duffy – with it likely ‘coming to an end’ as an early Brighton return is touted.**

Duffy, who has struggled to stamp his authority in the Celtic defence, starting just [half of the Hoops’ 14 SPFL matches](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/75692/Show/Shane-Duffy) so far this season, could return to Brighton as Lennon is tipped to suffer a blow to his available options.

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### Lennon tipped for Duffy blow

When the centre-back has been given a chance to shine, the numbers suggest he has held his own at certain points, despite also struggling on occasions – with the 28-year-old winning an impressive 4.7 aerial duels per 90 on average according to [WhoScored.](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/75692/Show/Shane-Duffy)

Regardless, Lennon doesn’t seem to favour him as a regular starter, with the under-fire boss now being tipped to lose him in January as a result of his team selections.

“It is a really strange one,” Robinson told [Football Insider.](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pundit-exclusive-celtic-tipped-to-bin-28-yr-old-in-january-after-2-5m-pay-out/)

“You do not sign a player of his quality unless you plan to use him.

“If he is not going to get any game time, I could see the loan move coming to an end.

“Duffy is not in Brighton’s plans and he is not a youngster, so if the loan spell does end, he will have to make another move in January.”

### Transfer Tavern take

While the Irishman has failed to impress at times this campaign, the last thing Lennon could want amid mounting pressure on his position is to lose a back-up defensive option, especially in a very busy season such as the current one.

It remains to be seen whether Celtic opt to send him back down South, but this could come as a bit of a blow to Lennon as he fights for his job.

***In other news: Celtic have been tipped to hire this manager with ‘pedigree’ as Lennon’s heir, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-gabby-agbonlahor-identifies-eddie-howe-as-potential-neil-lennon-successor/)***