Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has confirmed that he will return to the squad in time for pre-season.
The Scottish international, who has been away from the Hoops since December, last played for the club in a 5-1 win over Kilmarnock before the turn of the year.
Speaking to BBC Sport Scotland, however, the 28-year-old confirmed he would be back with the squad while reflecting on Celtic’s 2-1 Scottish Cup final over Hearts on Saturday.
“It’s unbelievable,” the striker said. “I haven’t been involved in a long time but this is a great club to be involved with. The boys played magnificent in the second half.
“They went 1-0 down, and then we came back and we won a cup, and deservedly so. [The treble treble] is special but the boys knew what was at stake, they’re history makers again and we just have to go on and perform.
“It’s difficult for me [not being involved] but it’s not about me today, it’s about the 18 and everyone else involved. I’ll be back for pre-season.”
OPINION
This is fantastic news for Celtic fans. Even though Griffiths was only involved for four months of the season, he still had a crucial impact. He scored six goals and had a hand in two others in 20 appearances, and he will be pleased that the side have got on just fine without him. The side have definitely done that, easing to another Premiership title and eventually the treble treble. In fact, one man who Griffiths will be buzzing for is Odsonne Edouard, who scored both of Celtic’s goals as they came back against Craig Levein’s side at Hampden Park. That is a huge contribution and one which will never be forgotten. As for next season, it will be a massive boost for the Hoops to have Griffiths back, because he was a key man for the side before he left in December. With a full pre-season ahead of him, Griffiths can now look forward to getting back to what he does best.