Chris Sutton has praised the ability and potential impact of Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths, but still has doubts about his future at the club.
Griffiths bailed the Bhoys out on Wednesday night away to Aberdeen at Pittodrie, scoring at the death to salvage a 1-1 draw.
Despite limited opportunities at Celtic this season, it was the Scotland international’s seventh goal of the campaign.
There are now renewed calls for him to be included in the Scotland squad for the upcoming European Championships.
More pertinent to Celtic fans though is his future at the Bhoys. The club hold an option on his contract for another year, but must make a decision to keep him on or let him leave at the end of the season.
Sutton doesn’t see the benefit of keeping him around if he’s not going to be fit enough to partake in the majority of Celtic matches.
Speaking on BT Sport’s Scottish Football Extra on Friday night (18:30), the pundit said: “Callum McGregor has said Leigh Griffiths is the best finisher in the country. But Leigh needs to get himself in good enough shape so he can play 90 minutes.
“Is he a good finisher? Of course he is. Is he good for little cameos of 15 or 20 minutes if you need a goal? Yes he is. But would I keep him at Celtic? Not if he can’t play 90 minutes. I don’t really see the value otherwise.
“The fact of the matter is – if he’s not playing regularly then his fitness levels are going to get worse and worse. And that won’t suit either party.”
Celtic have a big decision to make on Leigh Griffiths
The club reportedly only have until April 30th to make the decision on whether to give him another season or not [Scottish Sun]. Given that is less than a week away, it’s likely any new manager is not going to have input on that decision.
Legacy coaching and club staff will be making their minds up on this, just as they have on other players such as Patryk Klimala, as well as the incoming Liam Shaw.
If he does stay on, as Sutton notes, there’s no guarantee he would feature under a new manager given his fitness problems.
If he can’t be relied upon to play regularly during our heavy schedule, he really is better off heading elsewhere.
It’s been a long road for Griffiths since signing for the club during Neil Lennon’s first spell as Celtic boss. A healthy 123 goals later it’d be no surprise to see him in Hibernian or Aberdeen colours next term.
In other news, commercial life at Celtic is getting back to normal after pleasing double update.
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