STEVE CLARKE has said that Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths won’t be ready to start for Scotland but he would have to settle for a game on the bench, potentially being called upon if the Scots were chasing a goal. With a place in the European Championships at stake, this role as super-sub could prove to be crucial. Ryan Fraser is out injured meaning there was an option in the attack but Clarke isn’t sure that
The former Killie boss has said to Sky Sports that Griffiths will play a crucial role for the National Team due to the threat he has in the opponent box, meaning Clarke will turn to him if Scotland need a goal.
“Leigh being Leigh, we all know his qualities in and around the 18-yard box.
“His recent finishes off the bench for Celtic have been top and hopefully he can bring something like that into the camp.
“But he hasn’t started many games for Celtic recently and it might be a big ask for him to start in a game of this magnitude.”
Scotland face Serbia in a Euro 2020 play-off in Belgrade this month and Clarke decided to call the striker up following a return to the Celtic team and being back amongst the goals for Neil Lennon’s side. A late winner versus St Johnstone and a brilliant curled effort against Aberdeen proved that Griffiths still has the ability to find the net.
The Scotland manager will be hoping that the predatory instincts of Griffiths in attack will be able to compliment the size and strength of Lyndon Dykes, giving Scotland a two man attack to hurt teams. Griffiths’ return to form has been welcome for Celtic and he has now to compete with Albian Ajeti, Patryk Klimala and Odsonne Edouard for minutes under Neil Lennon so unlike McGregor and Christie, game time on International duty can’t be a bad thing.
