Neil Lennon appointment could be key for Leigh Griffiths’ Celtic return

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The imminent appointment of Neil Lennon has been met with a mixed reaction by everyone this week.

But one man who will surely be delighted with the decision is returning striker Leigh Griffiths. The forward told Celtic TV that he’ll be back and ready to take part in this year’s pre-season training camp.

Griffiths returned from a long-term sabbatical from football back in March. But over the last couple of months, he’s been focusing on individual fitness work as opposed to helping out with the first-team.

And Lennon’s seemingly inevitable appointment will surely only be a further boost to the Hoops forward. Speaking to Celtic TV, this is what Griffiths had to say on the decision.

“He (Lennon) has been through the ringer before. If I need any advice or somebody to talk to he’ll be the man for sure.

“I’m coping with it. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to get to where I am now, to get back into a better place. Hopefully it’s the way forward and I can keep moving.

“Football is my life, it was frustrating being off but my big focus is to come back mentally and physically stronger.”

Lennon can get the best out of Griffiths

It’s perhaps debatable as to whether Lennon has gotten the most out of Griffiths at Celtic. That tag could probably go to Ronny Deila, who overseen a 40-goal season from the Scotland international back in the 2015-16 campaign.

But there’s no denying that Lennon can get a tune from the former Wolves forward. He only managed Griffiths for six months after signing him from down south back in 2014. But in that period, Griff rattled home a fine seven goals after breaking his way into the squad.

Now, that partnership can blossom once again. Lennon clearly saw something in Griffiths, and his signing has proved to be a rip-roaring success with the striker bagging 104 goals for the club.

It’s all now on a plate for Griffiths to succeed too. He has his old gaffer back at the time he’s returning to football. He’ll know that if he impresses he’ll get into the team. Not like under Brendan Rodgers where it didn’t really seem to matter what Griffiths did at times, he was always second fiddle.

And whilst Odsonne Edouard remains the outstanding number one choice going forward, Griffiths offers Celtic something different. There’s no better man to recognise that than the manager that brought him to the club. The appointment hopefully hs Griffiths excited for the season ahead. Having him back is going to be massive for the club.