Alex Jones Former Celtic man Jackie McNamara has urged Bhoys outcast Leigh Griffiths to redeem himself on the pitch following his loan move to SPFL side Dundee F.C. ahead of the closure of the transfer window.
McNamara commented heavily on the publicised spats between Griffiths and his former manager Neil Lennon, with Lennon frequently issuing damaging and damning words on Griffiths’ fitness and professionalism issues.
Celtic handed him a one-year extension to his deal not long after Ange Postecoglou’s arrival following positive talks, but he soon fell out of favour.
The likes of summer signings Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis, as well as Albian Ajeti, are ahead of the home-grown attacker in the pecking order at Celtic Park.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, McNamara claimed that his loan spell represented the chance to enjoy a renaissance and put the past behind him as he looks to revitalise a career in Scottish football:
“It’s a big moment now for Leigh Griffiths to go and play, to get himself fit.
“We’re not privy to what happened last year, and the relationship between him and Neil Lennon.
“There are managers you fall out with, there are coaches and players who don’t get on.
“But Griffiths has got to get his career back on track — there’s no doubt when he’s fit and doing well, he is a natural goalscorer.
“That’s what Dundee and James McPake are hoping he’ll show when he’s up there.”
Read Celtic Verdict
With a much clearer run at first-team football under McPake at Dundee, the onus remains on Griffiths to prove he still has what it takes to feature at the highest level of Scottish football.
However, it is obvious that he has no first-team future at Celtic; his contract expires in the summer and his loan is indicative of an attempt to offload him efficiently.
Save for a blistering resurgence, it is extremely improbable that Celtic will seek a contract renewal.
