Leigh Griffiths sends strong message to Neil Lennon

After playing a huge role in Celtic’s Scottish Cup final win over Hearts to seal the Quadruple Treble, Leigh Griffiths has sent a strong message to Neil Lennon.

Griffiths is still battling away after a slow start this summer, seeking to get himself back in contention for a regular starting place at Celtic. He’s also got one eye on leading the Scotland line-up at the EURO finals.

He has got to be in with a good shout in both sides, especially for Scotland where his competition for a place includes Ollie McBurnie. For Celtic it seems a long time ago that Griffiths lined up alongside Edouard, but it was just at the start of the year when The Hoops went on a devastating run of form to establish a league winning lead at the top. In fact, their last match of the previous campaign saw the striker net a hat trick against St Mirren.

So far this season, after being left at home for the club’s pre-season matches in France, Griffiths has struggled for a place in the team. 9 appearances with only a solitary start, and even that only lasted until half-time when he was brought off against AC Milan.

Griffiths has netted 4 goals in that limited time on the pitch though, often important goals as well. He mayn’t have been on the pitch muc this season, but he sure still knows the way to the back of the net.

The biggest reason he has had limited chances to start comes down to fitness. Neil Lennon has said the player needs to be fitter. Which has astonished many Celtic fans. How long does he need to get fit?

Griffiths revealed more of that, as reported by the BBC. It’s a bit of a catch 22 scenario though, and you sense some frustration from the player on how to resolve it if Lennon does not play him from the start:

"“There is a difference between being fit and match fit.“And you need to play games to get match fit and, the more minutes I get, the fitter I will be.“It is about working hard in training and trying to make an impact when you can, if you can come off the bench.“Hopefully I have done that and given the manager a wee bit of a headache going forward.“He said after the game that I need to get fitter. Well, that green stuff, the pitch, I need to be on that to get match fit.“We have four strikers here all vying for the one place just now, with the formation we go with.“Luckily I have still been in squads, still been on the bench.“I am not unfit. I am fit – but just not match fit and you can tell. Obviously I have not had a run of games.”"

For Celtic and Lennon there are decisions to be made. Is Griffiths a super sub being brought on to nick goals when the side are struggling? Is he a contender to play alongside Edouard from the start, or even alone up front? Should he start and be replaced when he tires rather than as an impact sub?

In fairness Griffiths has a point which Lennon will recognise very well as he tries to keep all his strikers fit, ready and motivated. He is not going to get fitter through sporadic appearances from the bench. Given his goal scoring record and abilities, he is worth a try as a starter to see if that, plus other team changes, can make a difference and take Celtic forward.