When Celtic allowed Leigh Griffiths to head out on loan this season it was assumed, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, he’d be unlikely to be returning.
However, with a break clause in the loan agreement and a disappointed Dundee Board and manager to contend with, it appears Griffiths may well be leaving Dens Park earlier than planned. Last night we mentioned a report stating a decision on Leigh’s future will be made by the Tayside club as early as today.
With just two goals in 14 appearances the gamble taken by manager James McPake to bring Griffiths to the club, in the hope his goals would ensure relegation was less likely, it appears has backfired, with McPake quoted in Scottish Sun as saying last night: “We are in discussions at the minute regarding that as a club internally and externally with Celtic as well. “A decision will be made tomorrow.”
There appears to have been more controversy surrounding Leigh Griffiths than good performances and goals over the past few seasons and if Dundee activate the early release clause it is hard to see further interest in the player materialising, nor would you expect Celtic would be keen to welcome the player back.
Perhaps, sad as it is to end a Celtic career that initially offered so much from Leigh Griffiths, the end of the road has been reached. It may well be Celtic offer the player one last chance but that appears unlikely.
Instead, should Dundee activate the break clause and no other club shows an interest in the January transfer window, it may well serve everyone best if the remainder of Griffiths’ contract is paid up and he’s left to find himself a new club. It would be an unfortunate way to end things for all concerned but it looks the most logical conclusion.
