Shane Duffy happy to bounce back at Brighton

Shane Duffy has expressed his delight at being back playing Premier League football with Brighton after a difficult spell on loan at Celtic last season.

The defender played 90 minutes in the Seagulls’ 2-1 win away to Burnley on Saturday in their league opener, putting in an impressive performance.

Duffy’s future at the club looked bleak after struggling in the Scottish top flight, but he has repaid Graham Potter’s faith in him with a solid performance at Turf Moor

“I have missed that feeling of playing for Brighton and getting three points; giving Dunky and Webby a big hug at the final whistle, it was such a great feeling,” Duffy told the club’s official website.

“It feels like I have come home. It really is a special club for me. I missed being here too much and I wanted to come back. It was down to me, as this club means a lot in my heart.”

Saturday’s match was his first appearance for the club in over a year after a “tough” spell with the Hoops.

“I am never going to give up and until I am told otherwise I am going to keep fighting until the last day,” the 29-year-old said.

“The club has been brilliant, even when they knew I was having a difficult spell both on and off the pitch at Celtic. They were always in contact and seeing how I was.

“When I came back after my loan it was a big weight off my shoulders. It was like I had come home and the comfort started to come back.

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“After the year I had I was in a really low place and thought the Premier League was probably over for me. But I have got good people around me and at the club; this club is so good for me and it feels like home.

“Everyone knows I had a tough year up at Celtic and off the pitch it was quite difficult for me. So I changed a few things in my life over the last few months and I have come back with a different mindset and approach to things.”