Callum McGregor challenges Celtic teammate to prove himself

Callum McGregor has sent a challenge to his Celtic teammate, to prove himself again in order to get back in the Scotland national team.

Leigh Griffiths has once again raised many questions about whether he can regain his full performance levels and goal tally at Celtic. And indeed for Scotland too. A team mate has talked about opportunity knocking once again for Griffiths and whether he can take advantage.

The Sunday Post has been talking with Celtic vice captain Callum McGregor about Griffiths and the Scotland national team. There has been a lack of goals and forward options for Scotland.  Now, with a play off final against Serbia to be played on November 12 in Belgrade, could Griffiths offer a solution?

Having seen Griffiths return after lockdown at Celtic and create problems over fitness issues, many thought his time was gone. The hoops forward though has a habit of coming back from all sorts of personal adversity. He has worked his way back to yet another chance at the hoops. His goal after coming on at St Johnstone last weekend showed another corner had been turned.

Could he do it for Scotland too and bring more goals to the national team? An experienced goal scorer in form would surely be welcomed by Steve Clarke with open arms, especially with that significant play off in mind. The chance to take Scotland to the Euro finals is there to be taken.

McGregor sees the opportunity is there for Griffiths but feels he will need to prove himself all over again with Celtic if he is to be taken into consideration for a Scotland place:

"“You could throw Leigh into any game and he wouldn’t be fazed. He just has that mind-set that he loves playing football.“No matter the level, if he gets that one chance then he will score.“We saw that last weekend (when he came off the subs’ bench to score in Celtic’s win over St Johnstone). That is the kind of quality that Leigh has.“The national team would benefit from that, too.“So it is a challenge for him. He knows himself that he has to get out on the pitch and play games for Celtic.“Scotland would then be looking at him to come in and help the group.”"

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The next few weeks are very critical for Celtic, some huge matches, with Griffiths possibly in contention for a place in some. Whether he starts or is on the bench may well depend upon the readiness, fitness and availability of Odsonne Edouard and Albian Ajeti who both will likely be ahead of Griffiths in Neil Lennon’s mind for selection normally.

But with Ajeti fighting back from an injury and Edouard isolating after a positive test while away on French duty, their availability for the next match against the Rangers is still very much in question.

Griffiths may get opportunities, to get on the pitch and then in front of goal if he does get to play. Like against St Johnstone, he has to take those chances and fight his way to the front. He could well do that, it’d be typical Griffiths if he does!