Former Celtic striker and Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has made a ridiculous assumption regarding Leigh Griffiths’ celebration.
Griff scored his first goal for the Hoops since August when he slotted Celtic ahead at Partick Thistle. The 2-1 success was made much more routine thanks to Griffiths’ opener – his fourth goal of the season. He then celebrated it by putting his fingers to his ears, a sign that he later revealed was a message to his doubters (Scottish Sun).
It hopefully kickstarts his renaissance after a period of nine substitute appearances without a goal pre-Winter break. The Scotland international will also be hoping to fire his way into March’s Euro 2020 playoff series for Scotland against Israel and (hopefully) Serbia/Norway.
However, you can always rely on Nicholas to have a pop when you’re feeling good about yourself. Speaking in his Daily Express column today (21/01. page 55), he stated that Griffiths’ celebration suggests he may not be able to lead the line for his country.
“Leigh Griffiths made a pig’s ear of things with his weekend goal celebration. He said it was a message to the ex-pros and pundits who have claimed he is finished. It really worried and saddened me.
“He is trying to pick fights with people who don’t matter. It is not a battle he needs to take on. If he does then he will be making a big mistake. Just celebrate with the Celtic fans and enjoy the moment. The only thing that matters is him, his team-mates, manager and the fans.
“I would love to see him back in the Scotland squad for the play-offs in March because we don’t have a genuine No9 or a natural finisher. When I saw his celebration at Firhill it left me doubting if Leigh can be that man.”
You’re trying too hard Charlie
What on earth is Nicholas on about here? How can a celebration make you unsuitable for playing up front for your country?
It wasn’t long ago that former Celtic and Arsenal forward Nicholas had a pop at Odsonne Edouard for not celebrating goals (Daily Express, 24/09, page 61). This is what he said on Eddy back in September:
“It’s as if he can’t be too fussed in the so-called lesser games. The thing that irritates me more than anything is his lack of celebration when he scores. It should be the greatest feeling in the world but Odsonne doesn’t show that.”
So Griffiths actually shows a bit of emotion with his celebration. He shows his own form of joy and release of frustration. However, this time for Nicholas it’s not the right kind of emotion.
Here’s hoping Steve Clarke isn’t so petty. You can hardly see him refusing to pick Griff now that he’s shown a bit of frustration relief in his celebration. It’s such childish discourse, and it’s almost as though Nicholas is desperately searching for a negative to poke at Celtic.
Griffiths can celebrate how he likes so long as he doesn’t go over the top with it. He never did, and if Charlie is the Celtic man he likes to portray himself as being, he would be getting behind our number nine as opposed to picking holes.
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