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Celtic: Hugh Keevins criticises John Kennedy decision

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Pundit Hugh Keevins has recently criticised a ‘mystifying’ decision from John Kennedy in the Old Firm derby.

Keevins appeared as a guest on the latest edition of Superscoreboard and the panel talked about numerous issues involving the Hoops. Keevins focused on Kennedy and the fact that he decided not to use Leigh Griffiths in the game.

Keevins made it clear that he is surprised that Kennedy didn’t bring on the Scotsman and took off Odsonne Edouard to bring on Mikey Johnston, when Griffiths had actually scored a goal in Hoops’ last Premiership game.

Is Griffiths' time up at Celtic?

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Yes

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Griffiths had played less than 30 minutes in the game against the Dons, but he still managed to help the Hoops pick up a point from the game.

The Scotsman has been linked with a move away from Celtic in the upcoming summer, with Hibernian and Aberdeen themselves interested as the Hoops might let him leave for free.

Keevins described Kennedy’s decision to not bring Griffiths on as ‘mystifying’. He said (30:36): “With regard to Griffiths, I was surprised that he didn’t see any match time at all. Particularly surprised when Odsonne Edouard’s replacement was Mikey Johnston.

“Although Edouard was not at full tilt for the time he was on the park, he did get a goal and he remains your best prospect of getting another goal and to then replace him with Mikey Johnston and leave Griffiths on the bench, who after all had scored in the last league game at Aberdeen was mystifying.”

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TIF Thoughts on Griffiths…

Despite having played less than 700 minutes in the Premiership this season, Griffiths has scored six goals and he has picked up two assists as well. He’s scored seven times in all competitions despite playing less than 1000 minutes (as per Transfermarkt).

Having said that, his game time has reduced over the last few seasons and injury issues have cropped up too. Neil Lennon had commented negatively about Griffiths’ fitness too, which shows that things haven’t been going to plan for him.

Considering that, it is easy to see why Kennedy refused to use him – especially amidst the uncertainty about his future at the club.

In other news: ‘I was told that’ – Dykes reveals eye-opening ‘insight’ coming out of Celtic

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European Football Writer. Contributed for FootballItalia, Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, Calciomercato, GFFN and more.