Brendan Rodgers has assured Leigh Griffiths that he has a future at Celtic but warned that he must adapt a Champions League mentality.
The former Hibs striker played a major role in getting Celtic to the group stage of the Champions League but has missed the last three matches due to a recurring calf injury.
Rodgers recently spoke out about his frustrations with the striker’s injury problems stating that he had to up his game in order to be able to make an impact on the team.
Griffiths has had to play second fiddle to Moussa Dembele for most of the season but has also missed a number of games through muscle injuries with Dembele’s big chance coming early in the season when Griffiths suffered a hamstring knock.
“Leigh is still very much part of what we’re looking to achieve here over the coming years,” Rodgers explained to Sky Sports after Sunday’s 5-2 win at St Johnstone, without Griffiths.
“I think I find it with a lot of Scottish players, it’s that you can improve. Just because you have been given a talent, if you are trying to get to the best level you can then it’s about more than talent. It’s about self-improvement. That will make you a better player.
“Leigh’s very much a part of what I’m wanting to do. He will continue to be that — he’s a brilliant striker but he has to be fit and available, and to be fit and available you have to look after every part of your life.
“This is no slant on his enthusiasm. He’s a great boy, we’ve got a great relationship. My point to him, after I was asked the question, was about him going forward.
“It’s very simple, Leigh needs to develop the mentality that this is his life as a professional player, and not just settle for what he’s got now. Be the very best you can be, and that means nutrition in modern sport is very important.”
Rodgers added: “Leigh’s clearly a talent but if Celtic are a club that’s aiming to be in the Champions League consistently then you need a Champions League mindset.
“You need that mentality, otherwise you will be playing somewhere else. That goes for anyone. In order to be at that level consistently it’s about a mindset.”
Griffiths has only started 10 Premier League matches, plus five substitute appearance but has scored eight goals.
In the Champions League qualifiers he scored five times.