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During the international for Scotland, Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths played a total of 15 minutes from a possible 180 under Gordon Strachan.
Ahead of him in the team selection was outcast Sunderland striker Stephen Fletcher against Georgia and Germany. Both games ended in defeat, as Fletcher failed to score in either game.
Despite Griffiths good run of form right now having scored eight goals in his first 12 games, he didn’t get a look in, but Scotland’s assistant manager Mark McGhee told the Scotsman why.
Leigh is an option and has become more of an option this season.
We have been impressed with the work Celtic have done with Leigh. He is finding himself in better areas with better goalscoring positions.
At some point we will benefit from that. But at this point Gordon judged Fletcher is still ahead of him. But he is getting closer.
Something McGhee hinted at was the Fletcher’s link-up play and how that sets him above others in the Scotland team.
He will make a huge contribution without scoring goals, so we shouldn’t get too carried away.
Sometimes it’s just about the service he gets. Could he score more? Definitely, yeah.
Griffiths omission from the national team can only benefit Celtic, as he will come back to Paradise well rested ahead of the trip to Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon.