Griffiths claims that Celtic players are focused despite transfer talk

By Euan Davidson

June 23, 2021

Leigh Griffiths claims that Celtic’s “want-away” players are by no means distracted by transfer rumours.

The Celtic striker also stated that Odsonne Edouard, the man bearing the brunt of constant speculation, is the best player in Scotland.

In a refreshingly honest interview with the BBC, Griffiths sounded relaxed as he responded to an avalanche of questions about his own future, the club’s star players and Scotland. Flanked by Pat Nevin, Tom English and Steven Thompson, Griffiths spoke with determination.

He also teased at conversations with his famous strike partner.

Griffiths told the BBC Euros Breakfast Show:

“I actually messaged Odsonne [Edouard] yesterday to speak to him. I’m not going to give too much away, so…

“Top, top player. He’ll go right to the very top. People say he’s lazy and [doesn’t] pass and that, but the things he can do in training, and when he’s on his game he’s the best player in Scotland by a country mile. Simple as that.

“You see articles in the paper that players are being linked with certain clubs. Now I don’t know if it’s true, because I’m never normally linked with any clubs!

“The players will speak to the manager and say “blah, blah, blah, look, this is what’s happened”.

“I don’t know if the players’ heads are being turned, but from a player’s perspective, they’re fully focused on training. They give 110% every day, and they give 110% in games.

“So if that’s them when their heads are turned, what kind of players are they when their heads aren’t turned?”

Some very interesting transfer comments from a Celtic player linked so heavily with a transfer of his own

While the mystery over Griffiths’ future seems to have dissipated, it’s still very unclear as to who Ange Postecoglou will actually coach in pre-season.

The new Celtic boss has a raft of transfer speculation to wade through. Much like Griffiths, there’s little doubt he’ll be wanting to speak to key members of the squad, including Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie, in order to sort out their futures.

Leigh Griffiths claims his colleagues are focused. / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Equally, promising talents like Karamoko Dembele and Leo Hjelde will need to answer to the former Yokohama F Marinos manager. If they want moves, or to run down their contracts, Postecoglou will have to know pronto. He can’t shape a squad if important pieces, or potential first-team players, have their minds set on moves elsewhere.

If Griffiths is speaking truthfully – and we’ve little reason to question his motivations – this should really buoy supporters. With so much to worry about, it’s good to know that from Griffiths’ perspective, there’s no huge need for panic. What’s important is the players that are going to be there buying into Postecoglou’s methodology.

The stakes are huge. But if the players are focused, then that’s a significant boost.

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