ALBION record-breaker Shane Duffy has been backed by Liam Brady to keep on getting better for club and country.

Duffy won his 18th cap as an Albion player for the Republic of Ireland against Wales in Dublin last night, setting a new international mark.

Irish legend and former Albion boss Brady, told The Argus: “I think he is growing as a player. He has learnt a lot since he has been with Chris Hughton.

“He’s matured very well and he has become a leader both in Brighton’s team and the Irish team.

“He’s been playing in a three sometimes for Ireland and he has done it well. I think he can only get better.

“He’s probably going to be one of those players that the club he grew up at (Everton) are going to regret that they ever let him go but some players need to drop down a level, get playing and learn their trade.

“He has developed into one of the better centre-backs that we have in the Premier League.”

Central defender Duffy, 26, moved past the club international appearance record jointly held by Northern Ireland winger Steve Penney and Gerry Ryan, Brady’s former Irish team-mate and Albion assistant.

Brady believes there is still room for improvement in Duffy’s game.

He said: “He needs to erase the error that he throws in every now and again. He sometimes tries to overplay but that is something he is going to learn from, when he shouldn’t take risks and can play out from the back.

“But there’s no better guy if you want to defend your penalty area and you are under a bit of pressure, to organise the troops and put his head to things.

“For such a young player he is one the others (for Ireland) are looking up to for leadership. That’s because he’s played very well.

“He was one of the key players in keeping Brighton in the Premier League last year and I am sure he is going to go on to better things.”

Duffy’s hopes of marking the milestone with a win ended in disappointment as the Republic lost 1-0 and saw their hopes of Nations League promotion end.
Duffy played the entire game at the Aviva Stadium. 
Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey held a Duffy header as the hosts carried the greater threat in a goalless first half.
Wales improved in the second half. They were rewarded after 58 minutes when Harry Arter conceded a free-kick outside the area and Harry Wilson whipped his set-piece over the wall and past a stunned Darren Randolph to secure a spectacular winner.

Duffy’s Republic of Ireland team-mate Ciaran Clark is a doubt for Saturday’s hosts Newcastle after suffering a thigh strain on international duty.