Leigh Griffiths

Didnae come to expect such complacency from yourself good sir.

 

Naw.

 

Good to see him back.

 

Hope he starts against Sarajevo on Wednesday. Would be a good confidence booster for him and I’m sure he’d get a couple of goals

 

JOHN KENNEDY has hailed Leigh Griffiths for coming through the toughest part of his Celtic rehab.

The Hoops striker looked strong and sharp in today’s Parkhead friendly with French outfit Rennes.

Griff lasted 77 minutes before being replaced by Odsonne Edouard.

And Celts coach Kennedy reckons the Scotland star is now pushing for a start against FK Sarajevo on Wednesday.

He said: “We were delighted with the way Leigh played.

“When you play these games you ask the players if they can show themselves and he did that.

We’re still light at that end of the pitch so it’s important for Leigh to kick on.

“He’s done terrifically well through pre-season with good application – he’s training every single minute of the sessions.

That was a challenge in itself for Leigh after a period of time out. It was important he got the training in and didn’t pick up another injury to set him back.

So he’s got through the hardest part. Now we are starting to see a bit more of what Leigh Griffiths is about. He’s playing off the shoulder and looking sharper with his pressing.

“He tailed off a bit towards the end in this game so we made the change, but the game will hold him in good stead moving forward.

“He’s now in contention for the game on Wednesday. Bayo is still out injured so we have two fit strikers who want to push each other.”

 

Sprayed some excellent passes in the first half.

 

I am one to really want him back! He has the skill and give him more

 

NEIL LENNON still hopes to spend millions in the transfer window.

But Ryan Christie believes the return of Leigh Griffiths will be PRICELESS for the Celtic boss.

The Hoops striker made his first Parkhead appearance in eight months at the weekend.

Griff didn’t score against Rennes in the 0-0 draw — but looked sharp and dangerous as he steps up his comeback.

Christie hailed his performance and insists it won’t be long before the striker adds to his 104 Celtic goals.

He said: “Towards the end of last season we did well to try and fill Leigh’s void.

But to have someone like him who can create a goal out of nothing is priceless. Since Leigh came back in pre-season he’s been brilliant.

“He’s worked as hard as anyone trying to get himself fit again so fair play to him.

He’s now benefiting from that and getting his rewards — you could see he did look very sharp at the weekend.

“It’s now only a matter of time before he starts scoring again too.

“We’re never going to turn a player like Leigh Griffiths and his goals down.

“You are delighted if you have a player like that in the squad and hopefully he will now kick on again

He’s back training as well as ever and he’s certainly not lost his finishing ability.

“Come the start of the season then he will be firing on all cylinders.”

Griffiths recently opened up on the mental health struggles that led to him taking a break from football.

The Scotland striker has also been candid with his team-mates at Celtic about what he went through.

But that’s in the past now and Christie insists Griff’s return to the Parkhead fold has been seamless.

He said: “When it was announced that he was going to take a bit of time off, Leigh let us all know.

“And as you would expect, we were really supportive and understood it.

“Now that’s he’s back it’s like he’s never been gone. Leigh is just working hard with the boys.

“He certainly doesn’t look like he has got any problems any more. So I am delighted for him.” Griffiths did his own fitness work in May before rejoining the squad in June.

Christie believes that he will get stronger as the months go on as the matches come thick and fast.


He said: “Towards the end of last season, Leigh started back training again and doing all the drills himself.

“I always think it’s harder because when you are doing it with a squad of players it’s always easier because you are working towards the same goal.

“That’s him definitely back now and credit to him.

“There’s a difference between being fit and match fit.

“It’s only when you have played a game that you really understand it.

“You can do doggies all day long, but it’s a different scenario when you start a match.

“Everyone’s delighted to see him look so sharp.” Griffiths carried Celtic’s main threat against French outfit Rennes in the first hour before tiring in the heat.

 

NL: “
@Leighgriff09
has worked very hard and it was great to see him out on the pitch on Saturday. He’s a work in progress in terms of fitness, but we’re delighted to have him back.

 

I was happy to see him tonight.

 

NL: "
@Leighgriff09
isn’t fully there but he’s in a good place and we will get more from him as we go on. He’s missed a long time, and worked really hard. He’s looking now like he’s going to make a significant contribution this season

 

Got a terrific reception tonight and excited to see him return. I hope he gets game time and Lenny tries 2 up front.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Great to have the goal machine back.

 

Hope he has a fantastic season, as much for him as us

 

I was aboot greetin every time he warmed up last night - just brought tears to my eyes.

One thing I did notice when the subs came onto the pitch at half time for a kick about, every ball he kicked went straight to the feet of the other two team mates he was playing with - his passing accuracy was phenomenal when they were just faffing about - the other two were making themselves run all over the place with slack passes lol, but not LG

 

Great to see him back. Still need another more physical option up top however.