Noel Whelan has backed Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths to play a key role in helping the side win the Premiership title this season.
Whelan was recently talking to Football Insider and he feels that Griffiths could play a ‘key’ role in the Hoops winning the Premiership at the end of the campaign. He also feels that the Scottish striker is still getting back to his best, but has been ‘coming good at a good time’.
How many goals will Griffiths score this season?
Less than 10
Around 15
Around 20
Whelan said:
“I still think there’s more to come from Leigh Griffiths, I really do.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the old Leigh Griffiths at Celtic this season yet. I still think he’s getting back to his best, but three in four shows that he’s going the right way and in the right direction.
“He’s coming good at a good time. Neil Lennon’s going to want his players to be alive and ready and full of confidence, and you don’t get any better than when it’s a striker because they win you football matches.
“I think Leigh Griffiths is a fantastic player – always was a good goalscorer. Great movement, good bit of pace he could be inventive as well and find that space himself inside the box.
“Leigh Griffiths could really be the key to their success.”
Back in form for the Hoops
So far this season, Griffiths has made 23 appearances in all competitions for the club. He has racked up six goals in all competitions, with a tally of two assists. In the Premiership, he has played 15 games and has scored four goals.
Griffiths started in the club’s 4-1 win over Hamilton this weekend, but couldn’t score – though he did score recently against Kilmarnock, also finding the back of the net against St. Johnstone. The striker also got a goal against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup.
Last season had seen Griffiths make 20 appearances in all competitions for the Bhoys. He bagged six goals and also notched two assists. The second half of the campaign saw Griffiths take a break from the game because of mental health issues.
TIF Tactics
Whelan is right when he says that Griffiths, who is valued at £1.8 million (as per Transfermarkt), is ‘key’ to Celtic’s title challenge. If he comes back to form, he can get some vital goals and add some depth in the forward areas, too. Apart from Odsonne Edouard, they will have another proven striker to get them goals in Griffiths.