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Griffiths recalls when van Dijk destroyed him with Bobby Charlton hair jibe

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Image for Griffiths recalls when van Dijk destroyed him with Bobby Charlton hair jibe

Leigh Griffiths has revealed that Virgil van Dijk taunted him over his Bobby Charlton style haircut.

The England World Cup winner was famous for his combover hair-style which looked ok in pictures but less so on a windy day.

Griffiths was already struggling up top when he joined Celtic as a 23-year-old while the future Liverpool defender boasted more than a full-head of hair.

Si Ferry brought out some great behind the scenes stories from Griffiths during a 90 minute interview with Open Goal including his 18 month overlap with the player now considered the best defender in the world.

55 minutes

SF: Who impressed you most at Celtic?

LG: Virgil, head and shoulders above everybody. Just one of those things, you’re going for a 50-50 ball, I’m sprinting and he’s jogging and he could have knocked me into next week. Literally he was head and shoulders above everybody, now he is showing to everybody how good a player he is. Ridiculous.

And Samaras, on his day is unplayable.

SF: And on another day he looks like me playing.

LG: Aye, on another day he just can’t be a*&^d.  What one is going to turn up. I wouldn’t fault anybody, they’ve been at the top for Celtic, scored goals and it was just a joy to be involved.

SF: There must have been one day that you rinsed van Dijk in training?

LG: No, but I remember doing the Crossbar Challenge, it was before I had got my hair done, Crossbar Challenge was a big thing back in the day; there was only six of us doing it, me Broony, Commons, Virgil, Zaluska and Stokesy. I end up running up to the camera and somebody behind shouts ‘BOBBY CHARLTON’ I couldn’t do anything, I just had to burst out laughing and say no problem. That was fun, I’m sure it was Virgil that shouted Bobby Charlton.

Griffiths and van Dijk won two SPFL title together in 2014 and 2015 before the defender headed off to join Southampton before getting his Anfield move.

The former Hibs striker has come through some turbulent times during his Celtic career but is back in favour and well past the 100 goal mark and looking to extend his hoops contract until the age of 34.

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