Griffiths joins ‘I’m staying at Celtic’ group, we reveal the players on that list

LEIGH GRIFFITHS became the second Invincible to go public yesterday to reveal that he wants to STAY at Celtic and indeed has his representatives talking to the club about extending his contract. And with typical Griffiths enthusiasm he added that he’d like to hang around long enough to earn a testimonial just like his mate Scott Brown.

Both Brown and Griffiths had – it was hoped by Hibees – would probably return to Easter Road in the twilight of their playing careers. Last week Scott Brown ruled that out, saying he plans to finish his playing career in the Hoops, and if Griffiths is planning his own testimonial already then he’s hoping to do the same as his skipper.

Mikael Lustig also revealed yesterday that he’s planning on staying around for 10 in a row – something similar to what Scotty Sinclair stated last week.

So a wee list on non-leaving Celts for the red tops and click baiters to take note of:

DEFINITELY STAYING

Scott Brown
Scott Sinclair
Mikael Lustig
Leigh Griffiths

We also know that Scott Bain WANTS to sign for Celtic and Celtic want to sign him. Still we’ll read about Wolves, Bristol City, Birmingham, Hearts and Hibs all entering the ‘race’ for his signature.

Jack Hendry has just arrived and is on a 4 and a half year deal – staying.

Craig Gordon signed a contract extension last year after knocking back the chance to go to Chelsea as cover. Given his age and his injury record, it is likely he’ll be content to see h=out his days adding to his shut out record and ratio against his appearance totals – staying.

So we can add to ur list…

Scott Bain
Jack Hendry
Craig Gordon

Kristoffer Ajer is 19, he is already on a long term deal and Celtic are looking at extending his contract and improving his deal, realising that they have a major asset on their hands. This is going to work out in the same way Kieran Tierney’s contract extensions have gone as he emerged into a first team regular and Celtic star.

Ayer may well go south or to Germany at some stage in his career but he has plenty of time on his side and is likely to be around Celtic for a considerable time yet. Tierney too may not spend his entire career at Celtic – although with him you certainly wouldn’t rule that out, but he’ll be going nowhere anytime soon.

In an interview during the International break Brendan Rodgers specifically mentioned Callum McGregor and James Forrest as players who are content to play their football at Celtic – they can go on the list too. So that’s

Kristoffer Ajer
Kieran Tierney
Callum McGregor
James Forrest

Olivier Ntcham has made an impressive start to his time at Celtic. In his first season Brendan Rodgers has been careful to manage the overall game-time that the French under 21 star has clocked up. Ntcham looks a real star in the making and will continue his development at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers for a year or two yet before he even thinks about his options. So we reckon he’s staying too.

That’s about to for the Definitely Staying list (although anything can happen in football)…

To recap we have

Scott Brown
Scott Sinclair
Mikael Lustig
Leigh Griffiths
Scott Bain
Jack Hendry
Craig Gordon
Kristoffer Ajer
Kieran Tierney
Callum McGregor
James Forrest
Olivier Ntcham

We’ll look at the situation with the rest of the squad later today…

Meanwhile here’s what Leigh Griffiths said about staying at Celtic…

“My representatives are working behind the scenes to try and give me a new deal. I have another two and a half years here, but why would you want to go anywhere else?

“You are playing at a top club with a top manager in front of 50,000 or 60,000 every week. There’s no reason to go anywhere. You have Champions League football every season.

“It’s hard to get there now, but when you do get there, those are memorable nights. The talks are in early stages just now, but, hopefully, we can get it done sooner rather than later.”

Griffiths also explained waving the Irish flag at the end of the team’s 3-2 win at Ibrox last month when he was in the stand alongside Mikael Lustig and Marvin Compper.

He added: “Some guy handed it to me. It was just one of those things. I just wanted to show everybody how happy I was that the team got the three points.

“You want to go to your fiercest rivals and show what a good team you are. Being injured you aren’t involved on the pitch, but you want to make sure you enjoy it off it, as well.”

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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