Scottish pundit slams ‘bad influence’ Griffiths after Celtic deal is terminated
Alan Hutton has suggested Leigh Griffiths was seen as a “bad influence” at Celtic by numerous managers.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted off-pitch issues had cast a cloud over the 31-year-old’s spell in Glasgow.
Speaking to Sky Sports News on Monday night (17 January), Ange Postecoglou confirmed Griffiths’ Celtic career is over and that he is set to have his contract terminated and leave Parkhead this month.
The striker, who signed a one-year extension last summer, is currently on loan at Dundee.
Hutton insisted it is a “real shame” how Griffiths’ time at Parkhead has come to an end.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “You know how much I rate him as a player. He’s had a great Celtic career but it just seems towards the end there have been a lot of ups and downs for him.
“Things happening that, as a footballer, you just don’t want to be involved in. You want to concentrate solely on your football.
“The injuries, the Covid issues, coming back overweight – it was all different managers.
“It wasn’t just the one manager that decided he’s a bad influence at Celtic in the squad or whatever, it was a number of managers. That means they were probably right.
“It’s a real shame for him, I believe he’s still got a lot to give if he can knuckle down and work hard.
“The ball’s in his court. He has to really work hard and show he can get back to the heights he was at. He hasn’t really done it at Dundee.”
Griffiths’ last appearance for Celtic cam back in May against Hibernian.
He has scored twice in 15 appearances on loan at Dundee this term.
In other news, Tottenham and Wolves in race to sign Celtic rising star Mitchel Frame.