Former Celtic striker Darren Jackson has been talking about Leigh Griffiths and has given his verdict about the striker’s current situation.
Jackson recently appeared on the latest episode of PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show and spoke about Griffiths and his recent fitness issues. Jackson happens to be Griffiths’ former agent.
Griffiths was recently excluded from Celtic’s squad that had travelled to France for the club’s pre-season friendlies. Neil Lennon revealed that the striker was overweight and had publicly criticised him, saying that it was ‘pointless’ to take him to France. More recently, Lennon praised Griffiths after he featured in the club’s friendly against Hibernian.
While talking about this, Jackson addressed the situation of his former client, and believes that although Griffiths did let himself down, things are now coming back on track for the Scottish striker.
He said: “I still keep in touch with Leigh and he knows he’s let himself down. I don’t think there is any room for any more slip-ups. But he’s got his act together, Neil’s praised him, he was very happy with the way he did yesterday. He knows he’s still probably a wee bit off, but he’s given himself a chance. Every season at Celtic is a big season, so I don’t get how he’s let himself down, but he’s had a word with himself.
Did Griffiths let himself down?
Yes, it was poor from him
No, he didn't
“Obviously, Lenny’s had a serious word with him and he’s got himself back in shape. I think that Lenny was right to criticise him in public because he let himself down, he let the club down. But it is good when someone does something well, that you go and praise him. That will give him a boost that the manager’s not probably right back onside, but he’s going in the right direction.”
TIF Thoughts…
After the friendly win over Hibernian, Lennon had praised Griffiths and said that he ‘looked great’ in the outing and that it was the ‘best’ he has seen him ‘in a long time’. This is proof of the fact that Griffiths could slowly be winning Lennon’s trust back once again.
The forward had impressed for the Hoops in 2020, scoring seven league goals and picking up three assists, including a hat-trick in Celtic’s Premiership game against St. Mirren.
That is a reflection of how important Griffiths can be when he’s in form and Celtic may need his goalscoring abilities as they go hunting for their 10th Premiership title in a row next season. Hoops fans should hope that Griffiths is back in shape soon and is fit to feature in the upcoming campaign.