Celtic have terminated the contract of Leigh Griffiths and the player could be without a club as soon as next month, the Daily Record reports.
Griffiths has been spending the 2021/22 campaign on loan with Dundee at Dens Park after off-field issues plagued his one-year contract extension at Parkhead. However, it hasn’t gone to plan, and the Record report that James McPake’s club even wanted to send the player back to the Hoops.
The former Scotland international has had yet another dismal campaign so far. He’s only netted twice since his summer switch. He’s not been in anywhere near the form he would’ve imagined to try and catch the eye of Ange Postecoglou.
However, it’s been so bad that Griffiths now could be without a club as soon as next month. Dundee have the option of cutting short his loan spell too. Therefore, with both clubs apparently ready to give up on him, it’s looking like the striker will have a tough time on his hands.
Celtic initially signed Griffiths from Wolves back in January 2014. He’s netted 123 goals for the club in over 260 appearances [Transfermarkt].
But it remains to be seen who chooses to turn to the player given his dreadful 2021, even if he can be nabbed for free.
Leigh Griffiths has blown his final Celtic chance
It never seemed a realistic possibility that Griffiths could come back and make a name for himself again at Celtic Park. The fans didn’t want that to happen and it’s clear the manager had no plans of a renaissance for him in 2022.
Griffiths, deep down, must have known that himself. You could see the anger when he returned to action in pre-season. Boos were ringing around certain areas of Celtic Park. It was a touch toxic, and there was never going to be any recovery from that.
But what his Dundee loan spell did show was that there was an opportunity there for some career salvation. Had he ended 2021 with 10 goals to his name and a run of games, his prospects would’ve been a lot more substantial heading into the new year.
After all, who knows what the next step could’ve been had he managed to get his career back on track. Aberdeen? Hibernian? Maybe even another shot down in England?
Now, it’s difficult to see which club of any real stature will take a punt on the 31-year-old. He has a lot to prove, but you’ll do well to find reputable clubs willing to take him on.
The second half of 2021 couldn’t have been more disastrous for the player. It will be interesting to see where he ends up next, but we all knew his time at Celtic Park was never going to be extended.
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