Duffy hails Rodgers' Celtic appointment and targets Parkhead breakthrough!

Former Derry City winger Duffy spent last season on loan at Championship side Alloa where he earned rave reviews despite the club’s relegation and he’s anxious to make his mark with the ‘Bhoys’.

“I think the appointment of Brendan Rodgers is fantastic for the club and everyone at Celtic,” explained Duffy, “To secure such a high profile manager shows the ambition of the club and hopefully it will be a good thing for me and the club.

“I haven’t spoken to the new manager yet as he was appointed after I came back home for the summer but I am looking forward to getting back and working with him.

“For everyone it’s a fresh start and you never know what will happen. He did very well for Liverpool and i think he’ll do a great job for Celtic. He will attract players to the club. You could see how big it was going to be with the crowd that turned up when he was unveiled at Celtic Park. It was brilliant to see.”

The return of Celtic’s Glasgow rivals, whom the Galliagh player scored against for Alloa, is another reason Duffy is hoping next season could be his breakthrough year.

“Having Rangers back in the top flight is good for Scottish football, it makes the league better. It makes it more competitive and I think the league needs Rangers in the top division,” he adds

“I played the whole year last season and thought I did well. I enjoyed the experience and nothing beats playing first team football but it will also be good to go back to Celtic. I think the reports on me were good from last year so now I have to go back and continue to work hard.”

Duffy said he fully expects the new Celtic manager to target new signings but said the competition for places is always high and refused to rule out another loan move, preferably in the Scottish Premiership.

“Next year I would love to play for Celtic. That would be my goal but the competition for places is high and I will talk to the manager when I go back. If it came to it, maybe I will go out on loan to play a year in the Scottish Premiership and try to get a few games under my belt with another team to gain experience but my main thought is Celtic.

“I want to make my mark with Celtic but I will listen to the club. If it is to be a loan, my target would be another Premier League club.

“I would fully expect the club to be looking to buy new players to strengthen the squad and there are a lot of very good players there already so it is a case of ‘wait and see’.”