FORMER Celtic defender Shane Duffy has admitted that Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny was right to drop him from his starting line-up as he struggled with his form last season - but says he is grateful that he continued to receive call-ups to the international squad.

The centre-back spent the previous campaign on loan at the Parkhead club from Brighton but had a disastrous time in Glasgow's east end as the wheels flew off Hoops' bid for an historic tenth consecutive league title.

Duffy slid down the pecking order at Celtic and was eventually replaced in the starting XI by Stephen Welsh, and has previously admitted that problems off the field - such as the death of his father - played their part in his on-pitch troubles.

Since returning to the Amex Stadium, Duffy has recaptured his best form and has re-established himself as a key player for both club and country.

But he admits his issues from last season were so apparent that "even a blind man could have seen" them.

"It [being dropped from the Ireland starting line-up] was the right decision because I was nowhere near the level that I can show," the 29-year-old reasoned.

Glasgow Times:

"A blind man could have seen that I was nowhere near where I had been at.

"He [Kenny] still brought me into the squad to be around the lads to help if I could even if I was not playing. I accepted that.

"You have to play well to play for your country so that was the right decision."