Talks between Leigh Griffiths and Celtic regarding his future at the club are ‘progressing well’, The Daily Record reports.
The paper believes that the striker’s deal with the club formally expires today. Griffiths has also been training on his own away from club facilities in recent days, as seen on his Instagram account.
That has led to unfounded speculation he won’t be returning to the club.
And while Celtic leadership refused to comment to The Record about Griffiths’ situation, a source has told journalist Keith Jackson discussions are moving along.
Griffiths recently stated his desire to stay at the club and impress incoming boss Ange Postecoglou. The manager and the striker spoke directly on the phone last week.
However, Postecoglou has also said every player has to meet his standard of fitness and training work rate, which Griffiths has struggled with in the past.
Former manager Neil Lennon suggested in comments to BBC Radio Scotland last week that the 30-year-old didn’t pull his wait last season and has a mountain to climb to perform at the level required for Celtic.
Ultimately Griffiths’ situation remains a mystery and until we hear directly from the player or the club, it’s impossible to know what’s really going on.
You’d imagine a firm indicator would be whether or not the striker joins Celtic on the pre-season training camp to Wales next week.
Celtic are due to travel on Monday before playing pre-season friendlies against Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Bristol City.
The squad will then return to Scotland for a final test against Preston North End before the massive Champions League tie against FC Midtjylland.
We’ll know by then whether or not Griffiths is sticking around.
In other news, Peter Lawwell formally steps down from Celtic as club submit document to Companies House.
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