Pundit says Leigh Griffiths has a lot to offer Celtic but makes fitness claim

Leigh Griffiths can still have a future at Celtic, according to former Celtic player Davie Provan. The winger-turned-pundit told Go Radio Football Show that the 30-year-old striker can offer the new manager an awful lot in attack but only if he gets fit to play.

Celtic have an option on Griffiths’ contract to extend for another year and there is debate whether he has done enough to warrant another year. However, Provan believes that a fit and firing Leigh Griffiths can still make an impact with the dethroned Champions.

“If I’m the new manager coming into Celtic, whoever he is, I’d be very tempted to go straight to Leigh Griffiths and say ‘right, can you get yourself in shape for next season?’. He’s only 30, he is still arguably the best finisher in the country.

“You wonder if he has learned the lesson on this season and see what’s happened and see how it has panned out because he was in good shape.

“If you could get Leigh Griffiths back into shape, you wouldn’t want him to leaving the club at 30 years of age.

“Particularly when Ajeti hasn’t been up to it, Klimala’s gone, Edouard will go. If you let Griffiths go then you are looking for at least three strikers to bring in over the summer.”

The big point of contention is the IF from Provan. Griffiths has had plenty of time to get himself fit this season and in seasons gone by but there has been security of a contract. Although the player needs to prove that he is worth keeping. No player should be safe for next season and no player is above scrutiny.

The 30-year-old has endured a poor season after a very public issue with his fitness at the beginning of the campaign. The player has undoubted quality but fitness concerns have been highly disruptive for the club not being able to call upon a player that can, on his day, turn a game on its head.

Griffiths has scored five goals this season in eighteen appearances. The striker’s scoring record of 122 goals in 257 appearances represents an incredible return for the £800k paid to Wolves in 2014. The club need to make a decision on whether to retain Griffiths for another season or to allow him to leave for free.

About Author

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

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