Blackburn Rovers boss Owen Coyle has questioned defender Shane Duffy’s attitude following a nightmare performance against Cardiff City in the Sky Bet Championship, reports the Sunday World.
Duffy had a nightmare performance against the Bluebirds, netting two own goals and then being sent off, to follow-up another own goal against Wigan Athletic at the weekend.
The Republic of Ireland international recently turned down a new deal at Ewood Park, amidst reported interest from Glasgow giants Celtic and now Rovers’ boss Coyle questioned whether the defender was in the right frame of mind to be playing for the Lancashire club.
He said: “I think that’s the million dollar question we always face with players
“Coming into the club there’s a number of situations I’ve inherited.
“But what you have in the modern game is third-party interest, somebody in one ear telling you one thing, someone else in the other ear telling you another.
“They have their heads turned and you’ve got to manage that in the modern game.
“When you step on that field you’ve got to be at your best and be at your maximum and, unfortunately, that’s not happened tonight.”
After scoring a brace of own goals, Duffy’s misery was compounded when he was dismissed for a second bookable offence for kicking the ball at Cardiff defender Matthew Connolly after being penalised for a foul in the final minute of the game.
That means the 24-year-old will now miss Rovers’ home match with Burton Albion on Saturday and it has left Coyle admitting he will be happy when the transfer window closes at the end of August.
He continued: “Whether it’s a subconscious thing it’s not helping at the moment. The important thing for me is it’s going to have to be sorted one way or another.
“We’ve made an offer in good faith. It was an increased offer from the previous contract and obviously when you’ve got your representatives or agents they will have their own agenda.
“We just have to try and get through as best we can, but I will be glad when the window closes.
“We’ve got to sift our way through these issues and get players who represent the history and tradition of the club, because it’s a proud jersey to wear.”
The former Everton youngster has made 68 appearances in all competitions for Rovers since a 2014 switch from Goodison Park. He has also made five appearances for the Republic of Ireland.
