After a very difficult year Leigh Griffiths showed what a tremendous transformation he has made with a hat trick performance today as Celtic swept St. Mirren aside in a 5-0 win.
It’s been great to see Leigh Griffiths returning to form and starting again for Celtic. His three goals today showed he is very much back in form. Leigh was as composed on the pitch today when taking his chances, and providing an assist as he was with the media yesterday when interviewed ahead of today’s win over St. Mirren.
It’s been a tough time over the last year or so for Leigh but he’s knuckled down to the task, ignored all those who said he’d not appear again in the first team and showed what he is capable of. Those doubters never expected games or goals never mind hat tricks.
Looking ahead to today’s match Leigh talked about the support he has had from his teammates, the management and the club to help him get back to playing regularly. His partnership with Odsonne Edouard continues to grow and he spoke about enjoying playing as part of a front two. We’ve seen nice interplay in previous matches and today’s opening goal came with a terrific assist from Odsonne, with Leigh returning the favour for Celtic’s third. Four goals from the two strikers today is undoubted proof of a powerful partnership.
Leigh was out of the picture for a long period but always working hard to get back into the Celtic team. Looking back Leigh admits that he was “a long way from that” when speaking to the media. He fully recognised the support from the club and the players to help his return:
"“I’ve got to give my teammates a massive thank you. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here playing.”"
Leigh acknowledged his thanks for the manager and the coaching staff too.
Leigh also spoke about how he’s keen to make history with the Scotland squad by being the first for many years to make it to the finals of an international tournament. There’s some big matches coming up for Scotland to achieve that and he’d love to be a part of it.
"“It’s the pinnacle of your career to be selected for your country, if I’m selected I’ll be delighted, I’ll be working hard in training to make sure I’m in that starting 11 but until then I’ve got a big job to do first for Celtic.”"
Leigh is starting to show his desire, but with a very honest and practical approach. With performances like today’s and goals being slotted in, he’s got every chance of a call up.
Leigh knows he and Celtic need to keep focused on the league for now and the cup later. He is clear on the priorities:
"“On the domestic front we take each game as it comes and we go into each game thinking we are going to win it.”"
That worked extremely well today and Leigh’s goals made a real impact keeping Celtic firmly on track for 9 in a row.
By applying himself properly, training and working hard to get back on the pitch and playing games again. Leigh is demonstrating the right attitude. He’s linking up well with Odsonne, he’s scoring goals and notched another today. In doing so Leigh is putting himself in contention for a Scotland place and he’s very much in line to help Celtic secure domestic success.
Welcome back Leigh, an excellent performance today.