Rodgers dismisses Griffiths AWOL claims

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has played down any suggestions that Leigh Griffiths went AWOL from the club.

As reported by the Daily Record, Rodgers puts the claims down to social media rumours.

It was suggested earlier this week that the Scottish forward had failed to report for training, but Rodgers says that this could not be further from the truth.

It’s all social media. He hasn’t been well. He didn’t go away with the international team, then he got injured and then he has been ill for a number of days now.

I spoke to Leigh when we trained at Murrayfield to check in how he was. He’s been ill so he’s been kept away from the squad.

Rodgers went on to confirm that the player is due for more scans as he continues to work his way back into the side.

He has been connecting every day with our head physiotherapist Tim (Williamson) and he probably gets about 20 messages a day off him, so there’s no chance you’re not connecting with Leigh.

We just want to get him fit and back into the squad again. He’s away for some more scans today with Tim.

So that’s just the way it is sometimes with social media. There’s always a bit of tittle-tattle which runs and takes its own life (with) these stories. He’s very much in contact with the club.

The striker has been struggling with injuries lately and the Hoops will be keen to get him back in action as soon as possible.

He missed the games against Hibernian and RB Leipzig, having not featured for the Hoops since the 6-0 win over St Johnstone.

The club have not yet put a date on when supporters can expect to see him back in the squad.