Neil Lennon has revealed that Leigh Griffiths volunteered to play in Monday’s Reserve Cup match against Dundee.
The striker had been given a 12 minute outing against Hearts on Sunday and was a surprise inclusion on the team-sheet for the game at Dens Park the following day.
It’s fairly rare to see anyone in the first team squad involved with the reserve side but with a goal from his 60 minute outing in a 4-2 win Griffiths has some meaningful game time under his belt going into two vital matches.
“He wanted to play, which is great,” Lennon told The Sun. “He played 60 minutes and has the bit between his teeth.
“His time has been a bit limited due to his match fitness more than anything else. I’m pleased with that attitude. It shows the desire is there. It’s been there over the piece. His fitness levels are improving.”
Griffiths scored in Celtic’s first two SPFL matches of the season but found himself left on the bench at home to Hearts as Vakoun Bayo came in for his first match of the season.
Assuming that there are no injuries tonight Celtic should go to Ibrox on Sunday with Griffiths, Bayo and Odsonne Edouard all available, last season the starting strikers in that fixture were Mikey Johnston and Oli Burke.