Shane Duffy has admitted that he got goosebumps at the reception given to the Celtic players before the match against Kilmarnock.
Angry protests followed the home matches against Ross County and St Johnstone as Neil Lennon’s side flopped on the back of an embarrassing run of Europa League results.
Players and management are the most obvious targets for anger and resentment but the actions, and inactions of the Celtic board has increasingly come into focus.
Complacency over repeated European failures has spread into domestic performances with the hoops trailing by double digits in the SPFL title race and dumped out of the Betfred Cup by a team that hasn’t won in the league since September.
Despite that depressing backdrop Thursday’s win over Lille provided the fans with some respite with the arrival of the team for yesterday’s match prompting fans to burst into song.
Duffy’s experience of the club to date has only been as a fan but yesterday he was on the other side, in tracksuit as the bus pulled up to a roar of approval from around 300 fans.
Speaking to the Daily Record, the on loan defender said:
The stuff today with them backing you, it gives you goosebumps. I wish the stadium was full and I could really experience it, but I’m hoping I get the chance.
It’s a special club with special supporters. We know they are always behind us. As any supporter is, they are frustrated as they know there is a lot more in the team and we haven’t shown it.
Duffy repaid the reception with his first goal at Celtic Park. He was in the vicinity of the Moi Elyounoussi shot that opened the scoring but there was no debate over the identity of the second goal as he powered home a trademark header from David Turnbull’s corner.
