The end is nigh: Why Celtic goal machine is inevitably heading for the exit door within months
COMMENT By Matt Farr
For a player that scored 40 goals from only 51 appearances last season, it seems daft that Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers may be looking to push him out of the door in the summer.
But not in the case of Leigh Griffiths. The 26-year-old has fallen out of favour at Parkhead in recent weeks over concerns with his fitness, and Rodgers has had enough.
The Celtic boss first voiced his concerns in the public sphere, warning Griffiths that he had to work on every aspect of being a professional if he wanted to reach the top level.
In particular, Rodgers was drawing particular attention to his fitness, having become frustrated at his below-par work ethic in training.
The second indication of Rodgers’ frustration was his decision to omit Griffiths from his matchday squad to face St. Johnstone on Sunday.
He had missed their previous two games with injury, but had returned to training earlier in the week, and could have been in contention at least for a role on the bench.
However, Rodgers instead chose to hand outcast Nadir Ciftci a place in the squad. Rodgers could have picked a player in any other position for that final spot on the bench, but he wanted another goalscoring option. The fact he chose a man who has not played a game for the club since July instead of Griffiths says it all.
Then following the game, Rodgers took a more subtle swipe at the player. Speaking about the performance of Moussa Dembele, who came off the bench to score a hat-trick in the 5-2 win, Rodgers praised the difference a No.9 can have on the pitch.
It sounds pretty harmless, but considering Griffiths wears the No.9 shirt for Celtic, it suggests there’s perhaps a little more to it than first thought.
Each of these outbursts add up to one thing. You don’t need to be a detective to spot the link. Rodgers does not rate Griffiths, and it would be major surprise to see him playing for the club next season.
Considering his goalscoring record, it does seem a little harsh. But Rodgers has not picked on him because of his ability. He wants to build a side capable of challenging in Europe – the one competition where they have struggled to compete in – and to achieve that, Rodgers needs a side at their physical peak.
Griffiths can prove him wrong, however, although he has just six months’ left to do it. What Rodgers wants to see his improvement in his fitness, and if the Scotland international can show him that, then things can get back to normal.
Unfortunately, the striker has been hit by niggling injuries throughout his Celtic career, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be able to completely shake them off in time to avoid the axe in the summer.
His age and ability means there will be a host of sides that can benefit from having him on their books for next season and beyond. In both England and Scotland, there will be possibilities.
However, it looks all the more likely that Griffiths will play little more than a squad role over the coming months, ahead of the inevitable occasion when he will be forced to pack his bags and take the first available flight out of Glasgow.
In other Celtic news, here are three of the main talking points from Celtic’s victory over St. Johnstone.
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