Big year ahead for Shane Duffy

Duffy, who found himself joined at the Goodison Park club by fellow Derryman, Darron Gibson in January, has admitted his breakthrough season at Everton was tinged with disappointment as he struggled to play his way into Ireland’s Euro 2012 squad, given the form of regular central defenders, Sylvain Distin, Johnny Heitinga and Phil Jagielka.

The 20-year-old stepped impressively into David Moyes’ first team in January when an injury crisis struck the Toffees.

But when the trio of international stars returned, Duffy found himself a regular on the bench and as a result did not get enough time on the pitch to break into the Republic of Ireland’s squad for Euro 2012.

Duffy, who has been filling in the time this week with a round of golf at home, after playing for the Republic of Ireland under-21s, told the Liverpool Echo: “I can’t have any complaints about not going to the Euros.

“I wasn’t really anywhere near the squad at the end and I probably didn’t deserve to go.

“I haven’t played anywhere near enough games. I didn’t play a Premier League game since January and I only had a couple of reserve games after that.

“It was a strange season as it went on for so long, but I didn’t get to play much in the second half of the season.

The towering defender enjoyed a productive spell at Scunthorpe last term and has not ruled out going on loan again in order to gain more first team experience.

“It’s a big season for me with Everton next season,” he told the Echo. “I will go back there for pre-season and see how that goes, but I do know that I want to be playing first team football next year.”

Meanwhile, his fellow Derryman, Darron Gibson has helped launch the new Everton away kit (pictured) which was unveiled last night (Wednesday May 30).