Griffiths was a excellent striker, he certainly knew how to find the back of the net. 123 goals and 51 assists in 261 games for the hoops testifies to that. It’s an excellent ratio and with eye watering stats such as that, to write about Leigh and what might have been shows quite clearly that he didn’t fulfil his true potential.
Leigh signed for Celtic from Wolves for an undisclosed sum believed to in the region of £1 million, and it proved to be money well spent. He had a two year stint at boyhood heroes Hibs prior to joining Celtic scoring 39 goals in 78 games. So he had a proven track record and was well known to the Celtic supporters.
Leigh Griffiths of Celtic celebrates following his sides victory in the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park Stadium on September 2, 2018. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
He took to life at Celtic like a duck to water and scored his first goal against Hearts at Tynecastle and how he enjoyed that! Griffiths didn’t look back after that and found the net regularly in the Hoops.
He played under many managers in his eight year stint at the club, Neil Lennon twice, Ronny Deila, and Brendan Rodgers. His best campaign was undoubtedly under Ronny Deila in the 2015-16 campaign when he hit an impressive 40 goals in 51 games in all competitions.
Griffiths scored goals at all levels including The Europa League and the Champions league, he more than proved his credentials. Internationally he did it for Scotland, who could forget his two goals against England at Hampden?
Celtic’s Scottish striker Leigh Griffiths reacts after scoring the only goal during the UEFA Europa League group B football match between Celtic and Rosenborg at Celtic Park on September 20, 2018. – Celtic won the game 1-0. (Photo ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Leigh’s Celtic career was plagued with mental health problems, something the club rightfully and nobly helped him through. His personal life often made the front pages and there were questions over his attitude regarding fitness.
His Celtic career came to an end sadly with the arrival of Ange Postecoglou. Although it has to be said it was rather predictable, with the writing being on the wall for some time and the Celtic support made their feelings clear about his time at the club being over after another off-the-field story in the press.
Griffiths will go down as a decent Celtic striker, the stats prove that. He also won 14 honours at the club, but he could have been so much better. Imagine if he stayed fit and remained fully concentrated on his game? He’d have broken a few records and been regarded as a Celtic legend.
Leigh Griffiths of Celtic is seen at full time during the Scottish Premier League between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park Stadium on September 2, 2018 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Leigh is just about to turn 33 and is currently playing in Australia with third tier side Mandurah City. He is better than that, but sadly he let his career slide. A player of his ability should still be playing at the top level. It’s a clear case of what could have been…
JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy
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