Leigh Griffiths has said that there is no bad blood between him and Neil Lennon given the way that the Irishman’s time at Celtic ended. Lennon left at the end of February 2021 with the 10IAR bid left in tatters whilst Griffiths finally left the club this January, albeit having spent time away on loan with Dundee.
Lennon gave Griffiths a public dressing down last season but, speaking to The Daily Record, Griffiths said that there were no issues with his former manager, the man who signed him for Celtic from Wolves. Although, he suggested that this view may not be reciprocated by Lennon.
“From his point of view I think that’s the case. I sent him a text when he got his new job. I said I was delighted to see him back in football and hoped it was going to be successful for him.
“I’m still waiting on a text back. That’s on Lenny’s part, I have no bad words to say about any manager I played under and that stands for Lenny. It’s not my thing, football is a short career and you never know what’s around the corner.
“I’ve always been told not to hold grudges, don’t hold on to bad blood.
“All of the managers I played under can tell different stories about me but at one time or another they relied on me.”
The 31-year-old scored 123 goals for Celtic in 261 appearances but off-field issues plagued the striker’s time in Glasgow. Although, he will depart with a place in Celtic’s all-time scoring charts as well as an excellent haul of winners medals. Ange Postecoglou rewarded him, perhaps unwisely, with a one-year deal but the club decided to exercise an option to end his contract prematurely.
Lennon won ten titles with Celtic, eight Scottish Cups and three league cups in two spells as manager and as a player. He will always be a Celtic legend but it was clear that his time as manager was up. Lennon will be recognised for all that he has done for the club but it may take some time as last season has been incredibly tough for everyone involved.