Griffiths can be a “massive asset” for Neil Lennon says Whelan

Former Aberdeen striker Noel Whelan believes Leigh Griffiths can be a “massive asset” for Neil Lennon and Celtic following his return to fitness.

Griffiths made his first appearance since August for the Hoops in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Livingston, and speaking to Football Insider, Whelan believes his return could be a huge boost for Celtic.

Leigh Griffiths is a born goalscorer and his return is brilliant news for Celtic. When he plays, he scores, simple as that. Obviously, he’s hardly played in the last year, due to injuries and off-the-field issues. It will take him quite a while to get fully match sharp.

If he can rediscover that yard of zip in and around the box, Celtic have got a massive asset on their hands. With his runs, timing and movement around the box, he will get in scoring positions. We all know about his finishing, which is superb. His return is like a new signing for Celtic.

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Griffiths’ return is certainly a boost for Celtic ahead of such a crucial and busy run of fixtures as we approach the festive period.

Lennon will need to rotate his squad and keep everyone fresh over the next five weeks or so, and having Griff back will be hugely important as it allows the Celtic boss to give Odsonne Edouard a rest.

And with the Europa League fixtures against Rennes and CFR Cluj coming up, that appears the perfect opportunity to give Griff further opportunities to impress and return to form, given how Celtic have already qualified for the last 32.