Chris Sutton reckons Leigh Griffiths is Celtic’s third-choice forward

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic favourite Chris Sutton reckons that Vakoun Issouf Bayo has now overtaken Leigh Griffiths in the Celtic striker pecking order.

The Ivorian forward scored his first competitive goal for the Hoops in midweek and has looked like a real handful any time he has led the line. Griffiths, meanwhile, has had to bide his time – featuring in just one of the club’s most recent nine matches.

The Scottish international has had a couple of injury problems in that time but Sutton now reckons that he is number three in line to be Neil Lennon’s striker.

“Who’s second in the pecking order? It’s Bayo now,” Sutton told the Scottish Sun.

“He’s overtaken Leigh Griffiths, although I know he’s got injury issues.

“But Griffiths has got serious work to do to get his place back in this Celtic side.

“He’s had a tremendous career at Celtic, but when you are out for the length of time he’s been then it’s so much more difficult to get back to a level.”

Sutton shouldn’t write off Griffiths so easily

The most encouraging thing about Celtic’s current striking options is the variety in each player. All three offer Neil Lennon something different – a different option if things aren’t going as planned.

Edouard is so good with the ball at his feet. He can back into defenders, turn them and then run away with the ball. Bayo looks like more of a target man. A guy who can hold the ball in and also get on the end of crosses, as he did on Wednesday night. And Griffiths just offers you goals, from anywhere inside the final third.

Lennon now has different options for different occasions and that’s something we didn’t have at all last season. Edouard was forced to lead the line constantly and his game perhaps suffered as a result. The Frenchman still scored some massive goals for Lennon but his overall play was not at the level it currently is.

Griffiths still has a massive future at the club. He’s Mr. Reliable and a man who will always get you a goal from somewhere. You can still expect to see him play throughout the season – and probably have a big say.