ISN’T it great to see Leigh Griffiths get his mojo back? His positive post this morning on Instagram illustrates how things have improved dramatically for the Celtic striker who had to take some time away from the game this year to attend to his mental health problems.
Leigh of course was the subject of some pretty disgraceful chanting from the Ibrox support and will have his sights set on shutting them up in person as soon as he gets the chance. Griffiths scored 40 goals in the season before Brendan Rodgers took over from Ronny Deila. You could say that the league title that season Weah pretty much down to the rich goalscoring form from Celtic’s number 9.
Yet Rodgers seemed to see this as a problem from day 1, insisting that the goals must be spread around the team. For whatever reason Rodgers never seemed to fully appreciate Griffiths as his top striker. The arrival of Moussa Dembele of course made it tougher for Leigh to get a start with the Irishman intent on playing just one up front.
And a series of niggling injuries frustrated Griffiths who was desperate to play and to score goals.
All this combined with his off the field personal problems to result in the decision taken by Celtic at the end of last year to allow the player – who had just signed a lucrative new contract – to step away from the game to recover. That process appears to be completed and successful and as we have suggested before, Griffiths could possible end up as the top goalscorer in Scottish football this season.
In Neil Lennon he has a manager who signed him for the club and who on a personal level understands the issues that Griffiths has had to content with, from his own personal experiences. The chemistry between Griffiths and Lennon might just be better than the Number 9 and Rodgers and that could be a huge boost to Celtic this season.
Leigh has been speaking to the media at Lennoxtown this morning, following his post on Instagram this morning where he expressed his joy at being back in action and thanked his partner, the club and the fans for the incredible backing he has received.
Griffiths could be in line for a start against Nomme Kalju on Wednesday night in the first leg of the Second qualifying round for the Champions League. Talking about the game he said: “It’s going to be difficult. We need to make the home advantage count. We need to play positively, play on the front foot and try to take a sizeable lead.
????️ @Leighgriff09 spoke to the media ahead of the Hoops' #UCL match on Wednesday, tickets on general sale now.
????️ LG: "It’s going to be difficult. We need to make the home advantage count. We need to play positively, play on the front foot and try to take a sizable lead." #CELKAL pic.twitter.com/NGePtxqLnv
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 22, 2019
“First and foremost, we need to try and get through this tie. Not a lot of people have heard of the Estonian side but I’m sure they’ll be well drilled and will think they can come here and get a big result.”
“The boys in the dressing room have more than enough quality in the dressing room to get through, and if we do that then we have another difficult tie.
“Pre-season is tough but it’s great to be back on the pitch with the boys and in amongst it. It was very tough being away. Without the support of the club, friends and family I wouldn’t be sitting here now.
“It was a slow drip that was building up. Brendan seen that and stepped in. I owe a thank you to him. I’m trying to look forward now, be positive and get more games under my belt.”
And on Neil Lennon being appointed as Celtic manager, Griff was clearly delighted. “When he got the job it was a big relief for me because he was someone who’s been through it himself. He said this season was a clean slate, to go and show everyone that I can still be a top player and that’s what I intend to do.
On his return to action against Sarajevo, when he received the cheer of the night, louder than even the two Celtic goals, Griffiths was thrilled. “The reception was incredible. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. It was a moment I’ve waited on for a long time. It’s done with now and I look forward to future.”
And there’s the tantalising possibility of Lenny going with two up front this season. Griffiths was today full of praise for Odsonne Edouard who has had to do it all by himself this year.
“He’s playing out his skin and is doing so well. For a guy so young to play so many consecutive games has been brilliant. Hopefully as the season goes on we can strike up a partnership to play two up front.
“I want to help get the club to the Champions League. I have good record of scoring goals in these big games. Hopefully I get the chance to do that and then play as many minutes as possible.”
Here’s what Leigh posted this morning on his Instagram account, reflecting on his return to competitive football last week in the 2-1 home win over Sarajevo.
“What a feeling, walking back out on to the pitch after a difficult spell off,” Leigh stated.
“Great to be back on amongst it again and the reception I got was incredible.
“Someone said to me “after the darkness, there will be light” they promised me it! I didn’t believe them, but that person was right. Thank you everyone for the support, from @caitlynmelville to my family, very close friends, @celticfc and my team mates.”
