Chris Sutton reckons Neil Lennon has sent Leigh Griffiths “a message”

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Chris Sutton reckons that Neil Lennon may have sent Leigh Griffiths “a message” during Celtic’s 3-1 win over Rennes on Thursday night.

Griffiths was substituted on after 79 minutes of the Europa League clash, failing to start the match despite there not being another recognised forward in the running. Lewis Morgan was instead preferred up top – and repaid his manager’s faith with the opening goal.

And Sutton, who was on co-comms during BT Sport’s coverage, posed an interesting theory regarding the Griffiths situation.

“I wonder whether this is a message to Leigh Griffiths – giving him a cameo role at the end,” Sutton said to commentator Rory Hamilton.

“Looking at this game, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to give him much more game time.

“There must be a reason.”

Sutton isn’t alone in wondering what is going on with Griffiths

Sutton’s sense of wonder is likely to be shared by the vast majority of the Celtic support. There was certainly a lot of discussion when it emerged that Morgan would be starting the match in the absence of Odsonne Edouard.

Griffiths seemed like the obvious choice to replace the Frenchman, especially after coming on in the weekend win over Livingston. So it is fair to suggest that there is something still not quite right with the forward.

Maybe it’ll just take a bit of time. That’s what Lennon’s comments to the Scottish Sun earlier this week suggested.

“Hopefully he will get fitter and stronger and have a good run of games now,” Lennon said. “He needs to do extra work, he needs to stay on top of his condition.

“He is in reasonable condition now and he is working hard and to make sure he stays fit.

“The fitter you are, the more robust you become and then you are less likely to pick up soft tissue injuries which is one that he had with a thigh strain.

Describing Griffiths as being “in reasonable condition” doesn’t exactly seem like a glowing endorsement. Lennon clearly wants to see more from the forward. That isn’t exactly a bad thing. It’s one worth keeping an eye on over the next five weeks or so.