Thankful Shane Duffy has offered a modest take on his unlikely Brighton rejuvenation as he believes luck is now very much on his side.
The Republic of Ireland international is a regular again for the Premier League's early season surprise package after a year where he endured a nightmare with Celtic.
Duffy was cast in the wrong movie during an ill-fated loan stay with his boyhood club, as his erratic displays were among many lowlights during a botched pursuit of 10 In A Row.
But the 29-year-old has come alive under Graham Potter and is hell-bent on making his second chance count after turning heads in the 0-0 draw with Arsenal.
Speaking after the Premier League stalemate with the Gunners, he said: “I got a bit of luck with a couple of Covid cases and a couple of injuries and I’ve got a few games and I’ve just tried to make the most of it.
“I’m really grateful for it. A lot of managers, if it doesn’t work out and especially the year I had performance-wise, I could have been with the 18s, 23s and then been finding a new club," Duffy admitted.
“But from the first day I came back he has seen a different side of me. He’s seen that I’ve tried to make a difference in my life.
“I got a bit of luck as well in pre-season with a couple of injuries and Covid cases. Sometimes you need that in football.
“But the club is really lucky to have this kind of manager who cares a lot about the players, not just football-wise but about personal life, and that goes a long way in life."
