Former Celtic player Davie Provan has warned the club not to let Leigh Griffiths go so easily this summer.
Celtic have a decision to make on the Scotland international. The club holds an option to extend his contract by a further year to the end of next season or let him go on a free transfer.
The struggling striker has been linked with moves to Hibernian and Aberdeen in recent weeks.
However, after scoring from the bench against Aberdeen on Wednesday night, Provan thinks he could still have a future at the Bhoys if he’s offered a new incentive-based contract.
Writing in his weekly Scottish Sun column, the pundit explained: “Celtic should think twice before binning Leigh Griffiths, even if the striker scarcely deserves another chance.
“But with Patryk Klimala gone and Odsonne Edouard in the departure lounge, they are well short up front.
“[Dom] McKay should offer Griffiths a reduced, incentive-based contract. Despite the striker’s contempt for his manager last summer, he’s still the best finisher in the league.”
Would Leigh Griffiths accept a pay-to-play style Celtic deal?
Celtic agreeing new terms with Griffiths like this would be somewhat unusual.
From the player’s perspective, surely there’s an expectation that if the club do want to keep him on, they honour the terms of the contract originally agreed?
Griffiths knows about the year-long extension. Why would he sign up to an incentivised contract with that option waiting to be activated?
It could be he’s highly motivated to play for Celtic. I just don’t see him signing up to terms outside of the model agreed with the rest of the Hoops squad.
The striker has definitely had his problems maintaining fitness, but the club either needs to value him as he is or wish him well with his future career elsewhere.
Celtic are in a bit of a hole in the striking department, but we shouldn’t rush into a Griffiths commitment if it’s bad for the club in the long-term.
A year’s extension on the current terms is reasonable enough for all concerned.
Elsewhere on 67 Hail Hail, there’s little to worry about in overnight Eddie Howe to Celtic delay reports.
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