John Hartson believes that there is a Hampden role for Leigh Griffiths.
It’s been a frustrating season for the Scotland striker who has watched Moussa Dembele grab 32 goals and found his own opportunities limited by injury.
A back knock on Scotland duty was the most recent blow but Griffiths has appeared as a substitute in the last two matches against Kilmarnock and Ross County.
At Hampden in October Griffiths made a telling impact coming off the bench and created the match winning goal for Dembele.
“Dembele has done very little wrong this season with his 32-goal tally for the season a very decent total so far,” Hartson states in The Sun. “But the wee man Griffiths is a player I like a lot and I can’t help feel sympathy for the way this campaign has gone for him. Truth be told, I’d start him against Rangers at Hampden.
“I would pick him in my line-up because I reckon that he’d be chomping at the bit to go out and score goals.
“I’m not saying Dembele won’t have that same determination. I like him a lot as I’ve written many times in this column.
“And it’s clearly down to Brendan who he selects, and he’ll have a better idea than anyone having been watching them in training every day but Griffiths is a brilliant finisher and I can’t help think this Scottish Cup semi-final would be ideal for him.
“I just have a feeling that after the stop-start season he’s had, he’s the man who could make a big impact. He’s not had much of a chance lately.”
Hartson added: “Brendan gave him a very public dressing down and questioned his professionalism, which couldn’t have been that easy for the player to take but Griffiths has shown no signs whatsoever that he was too unhappy with the criticism.
It’s like he’s handled it in the right way and been prepared to take it on board. You can’t ask any more than that.
“Some players might have reacted badly and been angry that their manager had been critical of them in front of the TV cameras. I just think Griffiths’ response shows how desperate he is to be a success at the club.
“His stats stand up against anybody’s. He scored over 40 goals last season, which wasn’t far behind the 50-goal haul the incredible Henrik Larsson reached when I played alongside him.
“I just look at this game tomorrow and think it’s set up for Griffiths, if he’s given the chance.”
While Dembele’s strike rate has dropped, like Griffiths he has also been bothered by injury missing out on the title win at Tynecastle and the 1-1 draw at home to Partick Thistle.
Having both players fit and available is a big boost for Brendan Rodgers who has rotated and rested his squad since the SPFL title was won.
Rodgers biggest selection dilemma is whether or not to start with Tom Rogic who has been involved in the last three matches after a four month lay off.
With Callum McGregor on media duty yesterday it seems likely that Stuart Armstrong will start the match behind Dembele with Rogic joining Griffiths on the bench.
