Chris Sutton has slammed Leigh Griffiths for his performance against RB Salzburg, going as far as to question the striker’s fitness.
The former Hibs striker came to Celtic’s rescue with the winning goals against Rosenborg and St Johnstone last month but made little impact against the Austrian side.
There were no complaints from any supporters when Griffiths was substituted by Scott Sinclair after an hour of play.
Sutton hasn’t been slow to praise Griffiths’ ability around goal but from his own playing days he realises that a strikers’ role involved much more than putting the ball into the back of the net.
Looking at the contribution of Odsonne Edouard and Griffiths on Thursday night Sutton told the Daily Record: “It’s either not working hard enough or it’s a lack of game understanding. Whichever one it is, you’d expect more for £9million.
“Griffiths was the same. He couldn’t use his body to keep it. He didn’t go long and his touch was off. To my eye, he just doesn’t look fully fit. He might even be carrying a bit of extra weight.
“I’m a massive fan of his finishing but it needs more. The Scotland striker barely contributed a thing the other night.
“I think he got his body in front once to win a free-kick when he needed to do it 10 times.
“You stand there and you take the hit from the defender for the good of your team.”
Wuth Moussa Dembele sold to Lyon in August Brendan Rodgers has no option other than to continue to work with Griffiths and Edouard during the Europa League campaign.
