Shane Duffy confirms Paddy McCourt played a part on his dream move to Celtic

Duffy, who has joined Neil Lennon's men on a season-long switch from Brighton and Hove Albion, confirmed that he talked to McCourt ahead of his move to Glasgow.

"Paddy has been great with me and I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago when it was starting to all happen," he insisted.

"The career he had at Celtic and if I have half of that I would be delighted. Obviously he's a huge role model in Derry and someone who played for Celtic and someone who I looked up to and still do. Paddy's a great man and he had great words to say about the club."

The 28-year-old is currently on international duty with Ireland as they prepare to face Bulgaria and Finland in Nations League matches after which he will join up with his new team-mates and look to play his part in Celtic's quest for 10-in-a-row.

“I really am delighted to sign this deal with Celtic. It is a huge honour for me to join Celtic, such a huge institution and a brilliant football club that I have always loved and admired," he added.

“It will be a fantastic personal moment for me when I pull on the Celtic jersey. It’s just a great feeling – I could not be happier to be part of the Club now and I just can’t wait to start working with the manager, the staff and the players when I return from International duty with Ireland.

“We will be challenging on a lot of fronts this season and I am really excited about getting going, as we try and bring the fans more and more success.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is delighted to have strengthen his squad: “We are delighted to bring a player of Shane’s quality to Celtic. He is an international player with so many great attributes. He is leader and he’s a warrior – someone with real ability and who will also give us that great physical presence.

"I know too he is a player who will add great personality to the dressing room. This is a real coup for the club. From the off, Shane wanted to come to Celtic and we are delighted we have been able to fend off English Premier League interest.

“We are delighted with Shane’s decision to come and we can’t wait to get Shane involved in the squad as we look to the many challenges ahead.”