Key for Celtic that Leigh Griffiths returns from injury for Europa League tie

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Celtic still have one league game to play – away to Hibs – before they return to Europa League action against Cluj. Neil Lennon will have the Hibs game foremost in his thoughts as it is the Hoops next fixture. However, he could have the game against Cluj in the back of his mind, particularly Celtic’s striking situation for that game,

For the moment, Celtic only have one striker available for the Cluj game, Odsonne Edouard. Vakoun Issouf Bayo is suspended after his red card in the group stage opener against Rennes.

Missed last few games with thigh injury

Therefore, Lennon will be hoping that Leigh Griffiths returns from injury in time for the Cluj game. He has missed the last few games for the Hoops with a thigh injury.

However, the Hoops boss recently told the Celtic Twitter account that the player could be back in time for the game against Hibs.

That would be a real boost for the Hoops. Not so much for the Hibs game, where Bayo can play, but for the Cluj game.

It will be risk for the Hoops to go into a vital Europa League game with only one striker available. That is why it is key for the team to have Griffiths available to feature in the game.

Could make appearance against former side?

Perhaps he could make an appearance as a substitute against his former side Hibs. That would be a good way to show that he has recovered from his injury.

The fact that Lennon has commented that Griffiths ‘could’ feature against Hibs shows that his injury can’t be that serious.

However, the Hoops will not want to rush the player back. Still, he is a player that Celtic will want on the bench at least for both the Hibs and Cluj games. He could be the player to help the Hoops get revenge on Cluj, following the Champions League defeat earlier this season.