Ryan Christie has praised the coaching ability of Damien Duff with his future at Celtic in limbo.
The former Ireland international has been first team coach at Celtic since Neil Lennon took over from Brendan Rodgers last February but was recently announced as part of Stephen Kenny’s Ireland coaching team.
Curiously there was no comment from Celtic alongside that statement with all of the suggestions from the FAI being that the job is on a full-time basis.
Duff has been a very hands-on member of the Celtic coaching staff with Ryan Christie appreciating his contribution in just over a year with the first team.
The midfielder told the Daily Record:
Duffers is a quality coach and his training is brilliant. He brings that energy and every day. It’s no surprise to me that he’s been added to the Republic of Ireland coaching staff. Just being around him and listening to his stories, you realise what a massive career he had.
We all know he played at an elite level and it’s been invaluable to have someone like him to learn from. I do remember watching Duffer play. The game that stands out in my mind is France one when Thierry Henry handled the ball before the goal.
I can also recall him playing in that successful Chelsea team, even though I was a Man United fan. He played alongside world-class players and his stories are brilliant.
When he’s giving advice, everyone listens as he’s played at the very highest level. Duffer is also very clear in getting his point across and we all understand what he wants. We are very lucky to have the gaffer, John Kennedy and Duffer coaching us.
Duff hasn’t commented on his new job which is scheduled to begin on July 1.
His departure would create an obvious gap in the Celtic coaching team. Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea have joined the club in coaching roles over the last 15 months with recent appointments made by the club rather than Neil Lennon.