Celtic should reignite Schar interest to replace Duffy [Opinion]

It’s safe to say that Shane Duffy’s Celtic loan spell hasn’t exactly gone to plan.

The Hoops paid Brighton around £2m for the Irishman’s services for the season and are thought to be covering £25,000 of his £45,000-a-week wage. [Sky Sports]

Duffy began the season as a regular in Neil Lennon’s side but has fallen out of favour in recent months, starting just three of the club’s last 10 Scottish Premiership fixtures.

For a marquee defensive addition, the 29-year-old hasn’t exactly hit the heights many expected, with several supporters hitting out at Duffy for his displays earlier in the campaign.

Duffy looks set to return south at the end of the season, Kristoffer Ajer has been linked with a move to AC Milan and Christopher Jullien is out of action with a serious injury.

So, in our view, the Hoops will more than likely have to bolster their central defensive ranks ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

One man who we feel the club should target to replace Duffy is Newcastle United’s Fabian Schar.

Celtic were linked with the Switzerland international back in 2018 before he moved to St James’ Park.

The 29-year-old, who holds a Transfermarkt valuation of £11.7m, is free to discuss pre-contract terms with any side out of England with his Magpies deal up at the end of the season.

Schar has featured in 11 Premier League games so far this season and has outperformed Duffy in several defensive areas, as per WhoScored.

Schar has averaged more interceptions (1.7) and conceded fewer fouls per 90 (1.1) compared to Duffy‘s 1.2 and 1.3 respectively.

The Newcastle man is also on £40,000-a-week but with no transfer fee required, we feel that the club should consider making their move before it’s too late.

He has experience of Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga football, and on paper, looks like he would be a shrewd addition, with the player approaching 300 senior appearances.