SHANE'S PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES

Signed while on international duty with Ireland, Shane Duffy got off to a flyer by scoring on his Celtic debut against Ross County

- JOE DONNELLY

SO fluid are the minute-to-minute dealings of the transfer window, that new signings are often whisked around the world on a moment’s notice.

Celtic’s summer incomings saw Vasilis Barkas leave Athens for Glasgow, Albian Ajeti trade London for Glasgow’s East End, and David Turnbull make the short pilgrimage down the M74 from North Lanarkshire to Paradise, adding a splash of fresh competition to the Hoops dressing room in numerous roles all over the pitch.

The club’s latest acquisition comes in the form of 28-year-old centre-back, Shane Duffy, a lifelong Celtic fan signed to Neil Lennon’s side on a season-long loan from English Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion.

Unlike his counterparts, Duffy’s road to Celtic Park was less straightforward. Ahead of the move, the defender was subject to a storm of social media speculation, accentuated by the fact the current Ireland captain has expressed his love for Celtic over the years on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.

And all the social media platforms were buzzing when the Irishman netted in his first Celtic game as the Hoops beat Ross County 5-0 on return from international action.

That international break meant he couldn’t visit Glasgow to sign a contract, carry out his medical or, ultimately, complete a deal at Celtic’s end.

Instead, he did all of that remotely, ahead of Ireland’s UEFA Nations League match with Bulgaria – during which Duffy headed home a 92nd-minute equaliser to ensure the game finished 1-1.