The striking battle between Leigh Griffiths and Vakoun Issouf Bayo will take yet another twist on Wednesday night.
Griff has missed Celtic’s last two matches through injury. But there will be big hopes that his injury concerns are over. Considering he was supposed to be ready for the visit of Kilmarnock on Sunday, having him back for Partick’s visit does look likely.
And he’ll have a big point to prove if he is indeed fit too. When he has been on the bench, he’s watched Ivorian Bayo come on twice instead of him. The latest was at Hamilton’s Fountain of Youth stadium – a venue Griffiths had scored at in five of his last six visits.
Bayo, meanwhile, is still flying high after his performance against Hearts last month. He’s yet to be given another start since, but he showed he’s a frightening option to have for defences.
But Bayo did play in Rennes and was sent off just minutes after coming on. Granted, the striker was harshly dealt in France, and he does appear to be Neil Lennon’s preferred number two these days.
A start for either would be a real confidence-booster
Griffiths’ terrific start to the season has clearly hit the roadblocks. He isn’t getting much game-time, and it’s clear from Odsonne Edouard’s form and media hype that he won’t be first-choice anytime soon either.
If Griff got the nod on Wednesday night, he would have something big to prove. And it’s not outside the realms of possibility either. The striker started in the last round against Dunfermline Athletic, albeit he struggled for large spells.
Bayo, however, would offer something different. He bullied Hearts’ Craig Halkett and Christophe Berra at Celtic Park last month. Lennon will know what he has in the Ivorian.
A start for Griffiths would dismiss any idea that Bayo has suddenly become second-choice. It would also provide the Scotland international with plenty of hope of more minutes heading into a crucial stage of the season. With games coming thick and fast, his confidence would rise.
However, if Bayo gets the nod, it’s not a great look for the former Hibernian man. It would only consolidate his place as third-choice striker. Regardless of his talent, it would be clear that Lennon has been seeing more of Bayo that impresses him than Griff. It would also be the third time in recent weeks that Griffiths has been overlooked for him.
It’s an incredibly close battle to see who plays second-fiddle to Edouard. At the end of the day, however, Lennon has a big decision to make here.
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