Brendan Rodgers issues warning to Leigh Griffiths
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has fired a warning to Leigh Griffiths telling the striker to keep out of the spotlight and take responsibility for his recovery.
Griffiths was given an indefinite period of leave by Celtic last month to help the Scotland international who was struggling with off-field issues.
But in the wake of the Scottish Sun hounded the Celtic striker and published photos of him at Newcastle Racecourse last weekend, Griffiths hit out via social media saying that his absence was down to his mental health state and not a gambling problem or anything else claimed by anonymous trolls online.
However, Rodgers has now issued a warning to the 28-year-old telling him that he is not on a holiday.
Speaking at Celtic’s winter break training camp in Dubai, Rodgers said: “I haven’t seen anything since I came out here. I was obviously made aware of it but haven’t seen the pictures of it.
“It’s very important he understands why he’s off and why he has been given the time off. Why he has to maximise that time in terms of getting better.
“That’s about getting specialist help and lying low and focusing on the simple things in your life that will allow you to be better.
“It’s a bit of responsibility. You take a deep breath, assess where you are at and then take the responsibility.
“Players who have dealt with any types of issues, it’s admitting that responsibility and knowing where you are at. It’s the only way you can move forward. It’s important if you have these issues, there are ways in which to deal with it.
“I haven’t spoken to him yet. A designated person at the club is dealing with everything with regards to Leigh and I will pick that up when I get back.
“There is no timescale. It’s all based around how he is feeling and the situations in his life.
“Ultimately he is a Celtic player and the club are paying him a lot of money. In these instances, you have to support the player. Money doesn’t count for anything if the player isn’t in good health.
“We need to support him which the club is doing amazingly but there is also a responsibility for Leigh. I know it’s ongoing with the club and I have no timeline with this kind of stuff.”
More from Celtic FC News
- Celtic handed fresh injury doubt before Feyenoord game
- Celtic’s £40.7 million announcement should scare Rangers
- Brendan Rodgers makes superb claim about returning Celtic player
- BBC pundit makes sensational claim about Celtic hero Kyogo
- Kyogo Furuhashi sends clear message to Celtic doubters
The Celtic striker has not played for the club since the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock at the start of December, coming on as a second-half substitute for Odsonne Edouard.
And with him placed on indefinite leave by the Scottish champions, Brendan Rodgers has signed PSG starlet Timothy Weah on loan until the end of the season and signed Vakoun Issouf Bayo permanently to alleviate the lack of attacking options up front.
Griffiths started his career with Livingston, making his debut in the 3-1 defeat to Airdrie as a sixteen-year-old in December 2006. His first senior goal would come several months later in the 1-1 draw with Ross County.
In 2009, Griffiths moved to Dens Park for a transfer fee of around £125,000 and after spending five years with Dundee he signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers for £150,000 in January 2011.
After failing to break into the Wolves first team, he spent season 2011-12 on loan to Hibernian and the following season he was once again back on loan with the Easter Road club.
Season 2013-14 saw him back at Molineux as he looked to become a part of the club’s plans, but in January 2014 he signed a four year deal with Scottish champions Celtic.
Since signing for the Glasgow side, Griffiths has gone on to play 202 times for the Parkhead side scoring 104 goals in all competitions.
Griffiths has also won 19 caps for Scotland scoring four times – including two goals against England in the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign at Hampden Park.