Leigh Griffiths

Correct.

 

So are the players still training on separate groups?

 

Today was the first session of full contact training I believe.

 

right lets get ready for the ten.

 

LEIGH GRIFFITHS has been axed from Celtic’s squad for France because of fitness issues.

SunSport can reveal the striker didn’t travel to the Hoops ’training camp in Loughborough.


Griffiths incurred Neil Lennon’s wrath after returning from lockdown lacking the expected fitness levels.

He won’t join the squad on the flight to France on Monday, instead staying to train at Lennoxtown.



Celtic face Lyon, Nice and PSG in pre-season friendlies, but Griffiths has been judged not fit enough to take part in the games.

A Celtic statement said: “Leigh is undertaking his own fitness programme along with some other players at Lennoxtown.

He will team up with the squad when they return from France.”

Being left out of the squad for the France trip is a big blow for Griffiths, 29, after his fine form in early 2020


He now faces a fight to convince boss Lennon he can play a key role in the Hoops’ historic bid for ten in a row.

Lennon hoped Griff could continue his deadly partnership with Odsonne Edouard this term.


But the hitman now has to regain the trust of Lennon and get himself physically fit enough to get back into contention.

Vakoun Bayo and Patryk Klimala are expected to get chances to shine in France during his absence.




Lennon is also likely to step up his search for striking reinforcements should Griffiths fail to reach the required levels.

Celtic stars returned to staggered training sessions last month when lockdown restrictions were eased.

Contact training stepped up at Loughborough this week, but Griffiths was nowhere to be seen.




The Celtic No 9 finished the last campaign in superb form, scoring eight goals in 13 games after the restart.

Griffiths netted a hat-trick in the Hoops’ 5-0 win over St Mirren
in the final match before the season was curtailed.

It was his best run of form since returning from a spell out of football to deal with personal issues in December 2018.

He developed a strong partnership with Edouard and was expected to start this season as a first pick.

He was also closing in on a Scotland return ahead of the Euro play-off with Israel in October.

Griffiths is now again at a crucial point, months after claiming he wanted to stay at Celts for the rest of his career.

Lennon wants his stars at peak fitness ahead of the new campaign and was thrilled by their lockdown work.

But Griff will need to get his head down at Lennoxtown if he is to earn a top-team recall.

 

If that's true I think he'll struggle to get back in now especially if there is anything in the Weismann rumours

 

We'll see if it is but there's no excuse for a player to turn back up in condition in the circumstances..

Should be fit as * and battering it during lockdown. Lazy if he has rocked up in worse nick..

All ifs and speculation still but IF he has * it for the 10 and on the verge of being bombed out....He only has himself to blame..

 

Ffs I thought he was fit and ready to be involved with pre season. His Celtic career is coming to an end I fear

 

“It’s believed that Griffiths had failed to meet his specific conditioning targets.”

So they don’t actually know then

 

A Celtic spokesman confirmed: “Leigh is undertaking his own fitness programme along with some other players at Lennoxtown and will team up with the squad when they return from France.”

At no point does the spokesman say anything about his weight

 

Doesn’t look overweight to me

 

Last few months has been a tough time for everyone - players aren't immune. Especially as he's had very recent mental troubles. Remember that before making judgement

 

They are reporting he came back a stone over weight, if there is anything in weismann I'd say Griff and/or bayo could be gone

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Quote me if you're directing it to me..

If you're a footballer with a programme set out by the club and during a lockdown, come back heavier and no in the best shape......then that is lazy as * for me..

Already said IF as well by the way..

 

If it's true that he's a stone overweight and isn't travelling to France, then I hope we're after Weissman because Griffiths is being punted.

He's had umpteen chances over the years. This would be taking the *.