McAvennie: Celtic tipped to agree new Griffiths deal after key update
Frank McAvennie has tipped Celtic to offer Leigh Griffiths a new one-year deal.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Hoops striker blamed the club for Griffiths' fitness struggles last season and claimed Ange Postecoglou could help him rediscover his form.
Griffiths told BBC Scotland he is hopeful of agreeing a new deal while Postecoglou suggested at his first press conference yesterday (25 June) he is yet to make a decision on the striker.
The 30-year-old is out of contract with the Bhoys and he made just nine starts across all competitions last season.
"The fans were upset because he never got himself fit but I think it's a slight on the club," McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
"I think it's a terrible disservice. I wouldn't have got myself fit, I wasn't that type of guy, maybe Leigh's not that type of guy.
"But I'd always be ready for the start of the season and I hated it. But they gave me extra training and I ran more and sweated more than my teammates because I had to get myself fit.
"I hated them but they put me through it. I would love the guys to say to Leigh 'We'll help get you fit and you've got a chance here, don't let me down. Be the guy.'
"I would love him to be the guy, he's a wonderful striker and the best finisher at the club.
"He never got a chance and it's a crying shame because Scotland are crying out for a striker like him.
"I know Ange spoke to him on the phone which Leigh was delighted about. I'm hoping he can get another contract. He might say 'Here's a year, if you do it for me I'll give you another contract.'
"It's a new start and there's no baggage."