BBC Scotland pundit Michael Stewart hailed Leigh Griffiths for his comeback goal in Perth, and then put forward the suggestion of a potential international call-up.
Griffiths made his first outing of the season as Celtic overcame St Johnstone with a fine 2-0 win at McDiarmid Park this afternoon. He would then score his first goal for the club since March, and it couldn’t have been much bigger.
With the Hoops closing in on a dreadful 0-0 stalemate against Callum Davidson’s men, Griff popped up with a superb late header after adding some much-needed energy into our movement in the attacking third.
And BBC pundit Stewart, who also works for Celtic TV these days, has put forward the idea of a Scotland call-up for the previously frozen-out striker:
Baby steps will do nicely
You can understand the country’s urge for competition up front. The fact that Scotland had to go with Lyndon Dykes during September’s double-header against Israel and the Czech Republic says it all.
Let’s be honest, you would choose a fully-fit and firing Griffiths over the likes of Dykes, Steven Naismith, Steven Fletcher, and Oli McBurnie every day of the week. It’s not even a debate when you consider what the Celtic striker has done both for the Hoops and for Scotland.
However, it’s important not to go too overboard with expectations. This was a massive goal for Griffiths today – that much we know. But to potentially talk of a Scotland recall when you consider it was his first 14 minutes of the season – it all seems a bit over the top for now.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke, of course, has already named his squad to face Israel, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic respectively. Neil Lennon will likely be relieved with that too, as his number nine could do with being eased in.
But a Scotland call-up should, in truth, be the furthest thing from his mind. He has to focus on fending off competition from the likes of Albian Ajeti and Patryk Klimala for his place in the side. Putting an emphasis on making the Scotland squad is a target for later.
Not that Griff will be doing that of course. He’ll have his sights set on getting more minutes against Rangers in two weeks’ time. It would take a brave supporter to bet against him nabbing another goal too.
In other news, the Celtic supporters have been fully appreciative of one of Leigh Griffiths’ strike rivals this afternoon.
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