Shane Duffy is expected to be a Celtic player by the time that he lines up for Ireland away to Bulgaria on Thursday.
Over the last 48 hours Celtic have stepped up their interest in the Brighton defender with most of the details agreed with Brighton over a season long loan.
Duffy joined up with Stephen Kenny’s international squad yesterday but his club status could change before Thursday’s Nations League tie in Sofia.
The Daily Mail reports:
Shane Duffy could complete his loan move to Celtic before flying to Bulgaria with Ireland’s national team. As Sportsmail first revealed the Brighton central defender is set to pen a season-long switch to Parkhead.
With Stephen Kenny’s squad preparing to travel to Sofia for Thursday’s Nations League clash, however, a tight schedule could prompt the 28-year-old to undergo medical checks at the Irish FA training camp before putting pen to paper remotely.
Duffy has been in pre-season mode with Brighton but the international double header gives him the opportunity to become match fit.
In his two appearances off the bench for Brighton in July he aggregated just five minutes on the pitch against Newcastle and Norwich.
The 28-year-old will get the chance to train with Celtic for the first time late next week with a debut scheduled at Ross County on September 12.
Duffy will become Celtic’s fifth summer signing on the back of Moi Elyounoussi, Vasilis Barkas, Albian Ajeti and David Turnbull.
