Griffiths shocked by social media screen grab

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths says he has no recollection of ‘liking’ an abusive tweet about Scotland boss Alex McLeish and his international team-mate Steven Naismith, the Daily Record reports.

Griffiths made the shock decision to withdraw from Scotland’s Nations League fixture against Israel tomorrow night, leaving the striker’s relationship the with McLeish under scrutiny.

Griffiths has now appeared to have personally endorsed a tweet from a Celtic fan that insulted both McLeish and fellow Scotland striker Naismith, calling the Scotland boss a “ginger alkier” and Naismith a “dirty git”.

Despite the SFA refusing to comment on the incident, sources close to Griffiths insist that he is shocked by the screen grabs of his social media activity.

One source said:

Anyone who knows Leigh knows he’s a respectful guy who wouldn’t get involved in this kind of thing. He gets bombarded with stuff online all the time and has absolutely no recollection of ever seeing this tweet never mind pressing the like button.

He has taken a break from the squad because he wants to work on his levels of fitness, for purely professional reasons. But he remains committed to the Scotland cause and would not do anything to risk his future involvement.

McLeish had admitted that Griffiths’ withdrawal from his Scotland squad is disappointing but that he respects the player’s decision.

Leigh doesn’t feel he is fit enough and wants to concentrate on his fitness and you have to respect his decision.

I had a good chat with him on Saturday and he has cleared that up with his statement.

I’m not going to throw him under a bus as such. He came to the games last time round and there was no animosity whatsoever.