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It’s no surprise to anyone that Neil Lennon loves the good old fashioned 4-4-2 formation.

It’s followed him about like the plague even since playing for the Hoops all those years ago.

At Bolton he applied it and was making a formidable front two partnership before leaving Hibernian.

However, he can only do this at his new club once Leigh Griffiths returns from long term absence.

Lennon says Leigh Griffiths may not be back this season

The Scotland international is experiencing external issues which is keeping him away from football.

Everyone of course wishes him a speedy and full recovery and shouldn’t be rushed back if he isn’t 100%.

However, when he does return, whoever the manager is will have a massive decision to make about his place in the team.

Neil Lennon told The Sun he doesn’t know if he will be playing for him during his temporary control.

He said: “The sooner we get Leigh back the better. We’re keeping tabs on that and we want to get him back on the training ground as soon as possible.

“But at the moment he isn’t close to that.

“I don’t know if him being back this season is feasible. We’ll have to gauge that.”

Depending on how things go for Celtic from now until the end of the season, it could perhaps be another gaffer who will get to make a decision on him.

How Griffiths is useful in a 4-4-2

For most of his Celtic career, the former Hibernian hitman has been playing as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1.

He hasn’t really had a recognised partner in a ‘Stokes and Hooper’ or ‘Larsson and Sutton’ mould.

However, the 28-year-old is entering the prime age of a footballer and has a lot of experience.

A partnership with Odsonne Edouard isn’t unforeseeable as Lennon does like to have to strikers in attack.

Griffiths is more tenacious than the Frenchman and is arguably quicker off the mark.

Whereas the 21-year-old is better at using his strength and holding the ball up and is a bigger physical threat.

The two of them can play off each other using their strengths and filling in each other’s weaknesses.

Plus, Celtic are sorely missing the set-piece threat Griffiths provides which will add an extra element to the Hoops’ game.

Nobody really knows yet when the Scot will return, but rest assured, when he does, he will get a massive reception.