Barry Ferguson believes Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths must go on loan

By David Walton

January 14, 2020

Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has stated that Celtic should allow Leigh Griffiths the chance to go out on loan this month.

Griff has been trying to make an impact since recovering from a hamstring injury back in November. The striker has managed to make nine cameo appearances as well as one start in a Europa League dead-rubber against Cluj (Transfermarkt).

Despite his opportunities, albeit largely from the bench, Griff has still yet to find the net since returning. It’s turning into a frustrating campaign for the Scotland international. The imminent arrival of Patryk Klimala also won’t help his chances either.

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths / (Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

And speaking to PLZ Soccer, a potential solution was suggested by an unlikely source in Ferguson.

“He needs to go an play. It’s as simple as that. I don’t think he’s going to do that at Celtic. If Edouard’s fit and available, he’s going to be the number one, and obviously they’ve signed this boy coming in for a lot of money as well.

“So for me, I think the best solution for Celtic would be to loan him out for the last three/four months of the season. Go and let him get a certain amount of games and see if he can start banging goals in and then bring him back and make a decision over the summer.

Griffiths loan still looks unlikely

Unfortunately, seeing Griffiths head out on loan still feels highly unlikely. It was Neil Lennon, after all, who stated before the winter break that Griff would be going nowhere (Daily Record).

Hoops boss Neil Lennon / (Paul Ursachi/MB Media/Getty Images)

Then again, Lennon’s comments did come before Griffiths’ string of unsuccessful appearances towards the end of the year. There’s still been time for him to change his mind.

It’s not as if there wouldn’t be suitors either. Celtic would have clubs lining up to take a player of Griff’s calibre. He’s still highly thought of in Scottish football, and Premiership clubs would surely be salivating at the prospect of taking him on temporarily.

Then again, it’s also important that Celtic have three strikers in their ranks for the second half of the season. If you’re to choose any to go out on loan it would be Vakoun Bayo. The Ivorian is the furthest down in the pecking order.

Celtic’s Vakoun Bayo (Sebastien Salom-Gomis / AFP/ Getty Images)

However, that could all change if Celtic do indeed bring in a second striker during the window. We can’t go into the second half of the season with four strikers vying for one spot.

Ferguson’s opinion here is, funnily enough, the correct view. Griff needs constant game-time in order to rediscover his spark. Whether he’s going to get that at Celtic between now and the summer is doubtful to say the least.