Dundee striker Jason Cummings has hit out at the abuse being directed at Celtic loan man Leigh Griffiths.
Griffiths joined the Dens Park club on a season-long agreement during the summer. It came after some off-field controversy that led to many in the Celtic support vocally voicing their demands for him to leave.
And it appears that the Scotland international hasn’t found any respite at other grounds this season. Dundee boss James McPake accused Hearts boss Robbie Neilson of encouraging hostility towards the Celtic striker before Saturday’s 1-1 draw between the sides [Daily Record].
Now, it’s the turn of Cummings to stick up for Griffiths and hammer those who are showering him with abuse from the stands. As quoted by the Record, Cummings said: “It’s almost like you get your ticket and it says in small print, you can say what you want, do what you want, don’t worry about it. Some of the abuse is disgusting. If you were to say that in any other walk of life or any other job, the police would be involved.
“Leigh is a good lad, a family man and we’re just all human beings doing our job. You do get a bit of stick but it comes with the job I suppose. For me sometimes it’s too far. Griff is alright, he’s used to it. He’s a top pro and similar with me, it probably just drives him on more. It does not really bother him but he would rather not get that much stick.
“It can go too far. Just because you’re in the public eye it’s like they can say what they want to you and not get in trouble. People say it’s part of the job but sometimes it should not really be part of the job, especially with some of the horrible messages you receive online. What can you do about it?”
Celtic loan striker Leigh Griffiths getting plenty of Dens Park support
Well Griffiths certainly can’t say he isn’t getting backing from his loan club. That’s now his manager and his strike partner who’s come out and slammed those directing abuse towards him.
A line has to be drawn somewhere of course. Griffiths shouldn’t be personally abused everywhere he goes this season for what’s gone on. Whilst criticism and self-reflection is bang on, when it comes to personal insults it starts to go a step too far.
It’s disappointing to see certain figures actively encouraging it. Remember Kris Boyd did the same before Griffiths faced Rangers at Dens Park last month? [Scottish Sun]. The problem with ramping things up is that you’re effectively encouraging hate to be spewed by supporters.
It’s exactly the kind of thing that gives Scottish football a bad name. The kind of fan-player relationship that we should be looking to avoid. Why the likes of Neilson and Boyd have stirred the pot in the past is anyone’s guess.
This isn’t about Griffiths’ Celtic career. That’s pretty much over. His contract will be up next summer and, let’s be honest, it won’t be renewed. It’s about trying to halt fans from feeling as if they can say anything they want because they bought a ticket. There isn’t enough of a line drawn when it comes to this, particularly in Scottish football.
Whether Griffiths is a success with Dundee or not, many Celtic fans won’t even care. We’ve all criticised him in the past and rightly so. It’s the personal abuse that needs to be halted.
In other news, Celtic defender Josip Juranovic lauds “True Paradise” with class Instagram post
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