John Hartson has sent a message of sympathy and support to Leigh Griffiths.
The striker has suffered a week of rumours, speculation and condemnation after it was confirmed that he had been left out of the Celtic squad that trained at Loughborough University before travelling for three matches in France.
Neil Lennon never held back when he was asked about the absent striker following Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Nice. Everything from Griffiths’ lifestyle, fitness, approach to training and even his use of social media came in for criticism.
This might upset a few people but I’ve always looked at things in a way we can help people. LG yes has let his manager down and yes has let himself down but think for a minute how LG is feeling right now. Lonely, Anxious, depressed, sad, hope he bounces back from this. ???
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) July 18, 2020
Two of Hartson’s former Celtic team-mates, Chris Sutton and Paul Lambert, have been highly critical of Griffiths but the former West Ham and Arsenal striker has shown a different attitide.
Hartson overcame a few demons during his playing career and would ever claim to have been the best trainer or 24 hour athlete.
The close season was a time to unwind and indulge with the Welshman regularly returning a stone overweight to be sweated off in pre-season training.
Those days are firmly in the past, footballers are expected to dedicate themselves 12 months of the year with Griffiths facing a long way back into Lennon’s plans knowing that one more ill-judged social media post could kill off his hopes of a recall.