Leigh Griffiths has revealed that he’d be out of football if it wasn’t for his support network.
The striker played his first competitive football in seven months when he replaced Odsonne Edouard with 15 minutes remaining in last week’s Champions League qualifier against FK Sarajevo.
In December Brendan Rodgers announced that Griffiths was taking a break from football prompting some hysterical newspaper speculation and dark theories on social media,
????? LG: “Pre-season is tough but it’s great to be back on the pitch with the boys and in amongst it. It was very tough being away. Without the support of the club, friends and family I wouldn’t be sitting here now.”
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 22, 2019
????? LG: “It was a slow drip that was building up. Brendan seen that and stepped in. I owe a thank you to him. I’m trying to look forward now, be positive and get more games under my belt.”
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 22, 2019
????? LG on Neil Lennon: “When he got the job it was a big relief for me because he was someone who’s been through it himself. He said this season was a clean slate, to go and show everyone that I can still be a top player and that’s what I intend to do.”
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 22, 2019
Griffiths looked sharp as he scored in all three matches of Celtic’s pre-season trip to Austria and Switzerland but won’t be rushed back by Neil Lennon.
Getting the striker back into the squad is a major achievement after seven months out of action but the former Hibs striker is determined to be more than a bit part player.
Griffiths has scored crucial goals in Champions League qualifiers against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Astana and others, last season he went through the 100 mark for Celtic goals.