Celtic boss Neil Lennon has put to bed any talk that Leigh Griffiths is about to leave the club on loan.
The Scotland international hasn’t played a competitive match for the Hoops since March 7th, when he netted a hat-trick in a league game against St. Mirren.
There have been some murmurings that Griffiths could be about to leave the club, with the signing of Albian Ajeti forcing him down to fourth in the Parkhead pecking order.
But Lennon shot down those suggestions on Friday following a direct question from the press.
“No”, the Celtic boss said after being asked whether Griffiths could leave on loan. (Official Celtic YouTube)
“I’ve seen that mooted in the rumour mill. There’s nothing in that at all.”
Ajeti signing has taken the pressure off Griffiths
It was a short and to the point answer from Lennon that left nobody in any doubt over the future of the frontman.
As we told you yesterday, there has been a bit of a campaign from the BBC as of late to create more controversy around the 30-year-old.
The truth is that Lennon still wants to keep Griff around, and realises his importance to the team.
Many in the media seem to have short memories. It was just the start of this year when Griffiths netted eight goals in 11 starts – forming a brilliant partnership with Odsonne Edouard.
He may be a little off the pace at present, but to write him off from making an impact this season would be very foolish indeed.
But the important thing, from a Celtic point of view, is that we now no longer have to rely on Griffiths.
With Ajeti, Edouard and Patryk Klimala we have different options up top. The pressure is off Griffiths to a certain extent.
If he gets his scoring boots back on then great. If not, then it’s not the end of the world.
Lennon will know he has fresh firepower as much as the rest of us do.
In other news, former Celtic youngster Liam Burt says that he doesn’t hold any resentment towards the club for his release.
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