After getting his third start of the season, Leigh Griffiths deserves a chance to build on Partick Thistle.
Scotland’s number one striker notched his first goal of the season in the 3-1 win at Firhill. Moussa Dembele and Tom Rogic added late strikes after Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo briefly equalised for the Jags.
There wasn’t much praise heading the squad’s way post-match. However, Griffiths deserves a mention for a selfless display.
The striker has found chances hard to come by since Brendan Rodgers came in. With Dembele and Odsonne Edourd ahead of him, opportunities have been limited in a one-striker system.
That has changed recently. Griffiths has had starts against Hearts, AEK Athens, and now Partick Thistle. In the first two, he failed to hit the net. That wasn’t the case on Sunday when Griffiths slammed home an opener.
Dembele also notched, but it would be wrong to play him ahead of Griffiths. The big Frenchman still isn’t match-sharp and could do with more cameo appearances first. With Edouard also out, it should now be the perfect time to integrate Griffiths back in.
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Rodgers has, in the past, stressed the need for patience from Griffiths. The Northern Irishman always said he would get his chances. Surely that must now be the case.
It’s not as if Griffiths offers a less than decent alternative option. He has Champions League and international goals to his name. The former Hibernian man has been at the club since 2014, and has shown great loyalty to Celtic in the past.
It’s time the club now do the same with him and allow him his chance to fight his way into the side. With games against Suduva and Hamilton coming up over the next week, Griffiths has it in him to really build up some momentum.
It’s also important the player himself takes any opportunity that comes his way. With a colossal battle against Rangers just around the corner, the 28-year-old can really make a name for himself once more.
To do that though, he needs to be given the trust by Rodgers.
Griffiths deserves a chance to build on Partick, and the least Rodgers could do is give out that opportunity.