Why Celtic loanee Leigh Griffiths was dropped by Dundee

By David Walton

November 10, 2021

Dundee manager James McPake has stated that Celtic loanee Leigh Griffiths has been doing a power of work to get himself back to peak fitness levels after losing his spot in the team.

Griffiths was an unused sub against St Mirren before the game against Celtic. The on-loan Hoops striker couldn’t play against Ange Postecoglou’s side due to league rules on loan players facing parent clubs.

The Dundee Courier has reported that the striker has been suffering from fitness issues since his summer move as well as a niggling ankle knock. That’s despite the fact he’s played in 7 different matches for his new club [Transfermarkt].

And speaking to the Courier, McPake is hoping for a big international break from the striker as he bids to get back up to speed.

“Leigh has been doing a lot of work and he will continue to do that through the break we have. It’s a real chance to top him up and get a lot of running into him.

“This is a good opportunity to get him pushed forward and credit to Leigh, he’s been throwing himself into it.”

Leigh Griffiths can’t afford another waste of a season at Dens Park

As you would expect, McPake is sticking up for his player as he should. But you can’t deny it’s been a disappointing opening spell for the Celtic-owned player since his move to Dens.

Griffiths only has one goal to show for his efforts on Tayside this season. That came in a big 2-1 win against Aberdeen last month. But outside of that he’s struggled for consistency in front of goal.

Into the last year of his Celtic contract, Griffiths can’t afford this to be another write-off of a campaign. Not when you consider he’s already damaged goods. This is his chance of a reprieve and it’s something he has to seize this season.

McPake has a good relationship with Griffiths. They both played together at Hibernian and clearly have a friendship between them. But that’ll mean nothing if the former Scotland international can’t start sticking the ball into the back of the net.

That’s what he’s paid for. And so far this season, he’ll have hoped to have made a bigger impact in that regard. Especially when you take into consideration this is his chance to put himself on the shop window.

Griffiths may be working hard behind the scenes, but we’ve been hearing that for a long time. He needs to make himself the star attraction once again, and at the moment, he looks a long way from being just that.

In other news, Celtic Trust discloses how much Ian Bankier made from the club last year