DAMIEN DUFF has bid farewell to Celtic after 16 months at the club to form part of Stephen Kenny's backroom staff for the Republic of Ireland.

In an interview on the club's website, the 41-year-old explained that he made the decision so that he could spend more time with his family.

Duff described his role at Parkhead as his 'dream job', with the former Newcastle and Chelsea winger insisting that his time at the club was the best throughout his entire career, including his playing days.

“The role I had at Celtic was my dream job,” Duff said. “I’m absolutely gutted, devastated to be leaving, especially at this time, when we’re going for 10.

"It was absolutely a family decision. There is no job in the world that would have taken me away from the role I was in. I’d love to be a brilliant coach one day, but I think it’s more important at the minute that I’m just a brilliant dad, I guess.

“For the first while I was away, my kids were like, ‘Daddy, Daddy, stay for nine and 10’, but as time went by, it was more, ‘Daddy, Daddy, when are you coming home?’ Celtic is one big family, but my family is here as well.

"It was the best year-and-a-half of my sporting life, and I include my football career in that. It was an absolute dream with amazing people. I’m gutted, but my kids need me, which is always the most important thing to any dad.”