John Kennedy at his Mainstream Media Conference yesterday explained that the news we reported on yesterday on the Leigh Griffiths contract situation is accurate and accordingly the club have to decide this month whether or not to offer the striker the one year extension that is worth around £1m to the player.
Both Aberdeen and Hibs are credited with interest in signing the Celtic and Scotland striker – the former obviously has already signed Scott Brown as a player/coach for the next two seasons and the latter is the club Griffiths supports. Neither will be offering anything like £1m for a season’s work.
Here’s a reminder on what the Interim Celtic Manager John Kennedy confirmed yesterday: “The situation, it’s like a lot of players’ contracts, the last year can sometimes be an optional year. Some players might sign a three-year contract with an optional year at the end of it and that’s where Leigh’s at with his.
“There’s an option to end it this year, but that’s one of those decisions that will have to be made between Leigh and the club. It will remain private until it’s decided but that’s something we just have to think about moving forward.”
Five years ago this very day Celtic won 2-1 at Fir Park against Motherwell, with both goals coming from Leigh Griffiths (see bellow)…
5 years ago today, Motherwell 1:2 Celtic.
Griffiths double. @Leighgriff09 pic.twitter.com/aYjljOYBq8
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) April 8, 2021
Yet that was then and just like at the end of last season when the likes of Simunovic, Hayes and Gordon were released rather than retained (sensible ONLY if those coming in are better) Celtic will have to make a similar call.
It’s fair to say that the fans are undecided on this one too. Here’s a reply to a a Celtic fan calling a radio show to compare Griffiths to Henrik Larsson (high praise indeed!) and the alternative view expressed by a Celtic podcaster.
What is this obsession with Leigh Griffiths? I’ve never understood it tbh. He got injured, Dembele stepped in and scored a hat trick against Rangers.
Griffiths has been pretty much a non event for 2.5yrs. Time he moved on in my opinion. https://t.co/ebYSSYkKrv— The Celtic End Podcast🎙 (@TheCelticEndPod) April 8, 2021
Yesterday we ran a wee poll to see what you think as we felt that as is usually the case the ‘Negative’ comments are always easier to find on social media that positive ones so you could be forgiven for thinking that Griffiths would have a minority of supporters wanting him retained for his optional year by the club.
But that NOT the case, although the is close. We asked the following question and the current results are below. We have also included the Poll again to allow you to place your own vote if you haven’t done so already. You can only vote once on polls on The Celtic Star.
Should Celtic activate a one year extension on Leigh Griffiths’ contract at a cost of £1m?
Results so far are as follows…
Yes (50%, 524 Votes)
No (46%, 483 Votes)
Undecided (5%, 51 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,058
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