Celtic interim boss Neil Lennon is ‘optimistic’ that striker Leigh Griffiths will return to first-team action before the end of the season, the Daily Record report.

The 28-year-old has missed four months of the current campaign after taking time out from football due to personal issues.

The Scotland international has been with the Hoops since 2014 and has established himself as a fan favourite at Celtic Park.

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Griffiths has made over 200 appearances in his five-year stay, lifted 11 trophies and scored over 100 times for the club.

And talking to the media ahead of Celtic’s away fixture against Dundee, Lennon gave an exciting update over Griffiths’ situation.

I met him on Monday. I’m optimistic about seeing him back before the end of the season.

He looked OK and in reasonable condition. He’s got a bit of work to do to catch up with the rest.

That’s what we’re hoping will happen over the coming weeks. I don’t want to talk about private things but he’s obviously itching to get back.

It’ll take a bit of time but hopefully, we’ll see him before the end of the season.

Lennon, who actually signed Griffiths for Celtic during his first stint in charge, then went on top heap praise on the forward, labelling as ‘top-quality’.

If you can get him fit and firing you’ve got a top-quality centre-forward.

It’s down to him now. Part of his recovery is that he does it step-by-step but he’s doing it, so hopefully, we can get him back doing what he’s good at.


Leigh Griffiths' season by season Celtic career