The suspension of football came at the worst possible time for Leigh Griffiths but he has vowed to come back better than ever whenever football resumes.
Celtic’s impressive run of form since the turn of the year has been closely connected to the striker’s return after a barren 2019 due to personal issues and a run of injuries.
Ten minutes into the first match of 2020 he netted against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup then ‘signed off’ with a hat-trick against St Mirren.
Neil Lennon brought Griffiths from Wolves in January 2014 with the strong relationship between the two men requiring minimum supervision as the striker returns to his best form.
The Sun reports Griffiths saying:
The manager hasn’t had to say much to me. I know I can get a bit leaner and fitter, so I’m working on that now.
You never want to be told that you need to be a bit sharper but if you have been told something and the coaches can see room for improvement, you have to get that done.
Seeing the improvement in all the different areas means more positivity, so it gives you extra motivation to keep working hard.
Griffiths’ mature attitude to his recovery and return to top form is refreshing in a time of uncertainty.
Those goals against St Mirren hoisted him upto 11 for the season with his partnership with Odsonne Edouard bringing a new dynamic to the Celtic side.
Whenever football resumes no-one will be more motivated than Griffiths as he catches up on lost time with the words of his doubters and critics not far from his mind.
