JOHN HARTSON asked last night if there is a some kind of problem between Brendan Rodgers and Leigh Griffiths.
Griffiths had just come off the bench to grab Celtic a late winner against a stubborn Rosenborg team that sat in all night looking for a point.
Griffiths made the difference and won the 3 points for Celtic.
So does this problem really exist and remember it’s John Hartson who is asking, a man who is entirely respectful of Celtic and who had his own off the field troubles during his own playing career?
One the one hand you can look at the fact that last week Celtic gave Griffiths a number new 4 year contract that will make him a very wealthy Bhoy. That would NOT have happened if Brendan Rodgers was against it.
On the other hand there has been an apparent reluctance to start Griffiths from the Celtic manager.
Yet the papers today carry a very negative story about a photographer alleging that he was assaulted by Griffiths outside a court in Dundee yesterday.
Griffiths had just been found guilty of speeding and fined £200 with three points added to his licence. He was in court before the last Europa League home match against the Lithuanian side last month and again yesterday.
Brendan Rodgers must be less than impressed with this kind of baggage. He notes that Griffiths appears to be able to deal with it but the price he could be paying is looking at the team sheet and seeing he is on the bench again?
Surely taking the 3 points and fine for speeding should have been the sensible thing to do? It would have avoided all the aggravation that has followed, the negative press today which sits beside his positive footballing story.
There is a profile that comes with playing for Celtic and earning the big bucks Griffiths is now on.
Brendan keeps referring to his age – Griffiths was 28 last week – is he saying it’s time to grow up?
The priority for Leigh over the next 4 years should be his football and not anything off the field. Is this what Brendan is trying to tell you, Leigh?
