Leigh Griffiths is fading into the abyss and may be best served leaving Celtic this summer, according to ex-Celt Kris Commons [The Scottish Sun].
The 30-year-old has only made 21 appearances for the Hoops this season, however is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for his side due to injury and fitness concerns [Transfermarkt]. Linked with divisional rivals Aberdeen in recent weeks [The Scottish Sun], Commons fears that the poacher may face a Parkhead exit this summer.
Speaking to The Scottish Daily Mail [12/04 print edition, Verdict supplement page 16] the former Hoops man stated: “These are your best years as a footballer. From the age of 28 through until 31 or 32, you should be at the absolute peak of your powers. It represents the prime of your career.
“Leigh Griffiths is 30 just now. But, rather than firing on all cylinders, it feels like his Celtic career is just being left to fizzle out.
“He has scored five goals in 18 appearances in the Premiership this season. He has scored just once since Boxing Day, the opener in a 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies at the end of January.
“By the time Celtic’s league campaign resumes against Aberdeen next Wednesday, it will be almost three months since Griffiths last found the net.”
It is hard to disagree too much with this assessment of Leigh Griffiths
Undoubtedly, Griffiths has been a fantastic acquisition for Celtic. 122 goals and 51 assists in 257 appearances is an unbelievable return for any striker [Transfermarkt]. Despite this, there is no doubt the Scotland international has been out of sorts in recent months. Commons is right to point that out, even in the midst of the divisive reputation he holds amongst Hoops supporters.
Turning 31 at the start of the 2021/22 season, there is understandable anxiety surrounding the length of mileage his career retains. Dropped from the Celts pre-season tour last July due to fitness problems [The Scottish Sun], any prospective new manager will have a decision to make on his immediate future.
Commons also added in The Scottish Daily Mail [12/04 print edition, Verdict supplement page 16]: “It has all gone stale for him at Celtic. It feels like he has become the forgotten man, which is a shame when you consider how much ability he has.
“He is struggling to get a game for Celtic at the moment, being limited to cameo appearances for five or ten minutes by coming off the bench.
“He started the victory over Falkirk in the Scottish Cup but I don’t think there’s any chance of that being repeated when Celtic head to Ibrox to face Rangers next weekend.
“Right now, you would have to say it’s highly unlikely Griffiths will be part of the Scotland squad heading to the Euros this summer.”
Leigh Griffiths has work to do if he is to again become a key player for Celtic and Scotland
Being restricted to brief substitute appearances has limited Griffiths’ scope of opportunity to score goals of late. Nevertheless, his susceptibility to sustaining niggles throughout the last few years has started to additionally impinge on his international prospects.
With Scottish Cup glory still to play for, here’s hoping the Scot can play a part in bringing back some much-needed silverware to Parkhead.
You’d be silly to ever fully write him off.
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