Ahead of the game tomorrow against Dinamo Zagreb, we are reliably informed-theres always a first time-that both Stefan Scepovic and Kris Commons missed training. This could clear the way for Leigh Griffiths to make a dramatic comeback. He can play the lone striker role, and supported by Anthony Stokes , possibly in a more advanced role, then just maybe goals will be flowing at Celtic Park tomorrow. This might seem a little over optimistic, but there was an interesting development in the Griffiths story yesterday when a supporter , Shaun Gibson, wrote him an open letter. Here it is in full, because its certainly worth a read, as is the players tweeted reply;
Leigh I am just Celtic fan mate, I just tweeted this to you
“@Leighgriff09 Leigh I am Celtic fan, The boy from Hibs you had a go at scored @ Ibrox twice. Forget before, focus now. Riorden never listened”
And I really wish you would listen to people like me who are not giving you a hard time but advice. I remember Derek Riordan joined Celtic, I coached him when he was 12 years old, I told him he could be a Celtic Legend as he was MORE than good enough to improve further. Most of my mates drink in the Four In Hand and The Office, and most rate you, sadly some mock you. I am a Celtic fan Leigh, not an enemy pal. You are living the dream of a million + Celtic Fans, do you realise this mate?
What I see with you Leigh is a really decent guy who lives on what goal he scored yesterday. Leigh that is gone, your goals when at Hibs are in the past, you are on the bench because your manager can see the same thing as many Celtic fans, Hibs fans and I can all see. If I could give you any advice buddy it would be to forget what went before and focus on what you are going to do next, otherwise you will go from club to club, earn less money and nobody will really remember you, kind of like Riordan and look at him when he was 21 years old and had the football world at his feet, and for the record, Derek is a great lad may I add, Look at all the young Scottish players going to England and the young lad from Dundee United Ryan Gauld going to Sporting Lisbon.
Leigh we almost share friends, we have been in the same pub, you really come across as a really decent guy, but this is the same advice I would have gave to any player at any level in my 15 years at what you would class a “Crap Level” I am guessing? Leigh, screw the nut and in 15 years from now Celtic fans will remember you. I guess if Hibs are the side for you then you go and become a legend there buddy.
Forget yesterday and plant seeds for tomorrow, or Celtic fans will turn on you quicker and this will speed up your departure and chance at a club that puts you and shows you at a level you truly will be noticed at. Guidetti came right in and started, to be honest, you at your best, that would be you and we probably would not need Guidetti Leigh. Sadly we did I am not expecting a reply Leigh, but I do ask you look inside yourself one last time and do what is right for YOU. If you listen to friends, you will lose pal. I know most of them, really decent guys, but mate, want a career you can look back on and be proud? Get you Mrs and move near Celtic’s training ground then one day when you leave football you can stay and be a coach or look back and say “I was someone” At this rate all you will have is regret buddy, I am sure Ronny told you this, Lenny and Fenlon and other managers also, I know football, managers would take a keen interest in you and want the best from you, why? Your football ability not many have, but Leigh you ain’t showing it mate and I think I speak for most Celtic fans when I say “Would love to see you in the side and playing well and scoring goals” My opinion may be wanted or not wanted, either way I am in a position to give one, and I have been fair and decent Leigh 
Good luck
HH
Heartfelt, genuine and sensible.
And the enfant terrible’ has replied;
Just read that open letter. Really appreciate what has been written and no1 is trying harder than me to get back into the team. 
Desi here…
Sadly at this point, Ralph dropped his specs and hit his head off the desk meaning he couldnt continue with todays Diary.
It was probably all “Ronnie booooh! Johnny Booooh!” regardless, you know the score. Normal service will resume tomorrow
In today comments, hows about a discussion on Leigh Griffiths…The Messiah, a Naughty Boy or somewhere in between?
Here’s hoping he screws the nut and becomes someone we can remember
Always liked Griffiths as a player, it’s not his ability that’s in doubt it’s his mouth!
I think he had a cheek having a go at Cummings who scored two against the scum, when the same Leigh Griffiths was showing off his shite new trainers on twitter following the embarrassing first leg v Legia?
Zip it Griffiths or leave the club!
As a player I like him – he does a rare thing – scores goals, something this team needs.
So far this season i only recall seeing him against the icelandic lot playing out on the right wing, which to be fair isn’t his position.
He livened up the second half of last season and scored some very good goals, and looked to fit well into the system.
If Ronny is true to his word about giving everyone a chance then I think Griffiths deserves a run up front, maybe as part of a 2 with Guidetti- from what Scepovic has shown so far he isnt a world beater and Griffits deserves a chance as much as he does.
But maybe I m mad, I also want to see Biton and Boerrigiter given a proper chance
The open letter was good constructive criticism, not having a pop or being negative, footballers have a very short career so it is what they do / accomplish within that period could turn them into possible legends for the mighty Celtic….
Hail,Hail
My opinion on LG-
If he worked harder or smarter(whatever he is nt doing in training or on the pitch – they ve told him) and re-calibrated his attitude, he ll be as good as Stokes. Maybe a better finisher without the flexibility Stokes has
That’s it. Good, decent SPL Player.
He’s a million miles from being a legend
I wouldn’t mind seeing Wakaso up front if the fitness rumors are true …
Griffiths is naturally gifted, same as Deek Riordan. He is a really good challenge as to what good man management might accomplish. I would play him every SPL game but not out wide. Meanwhile, he could work on his fitness and attitude, with lots of fatherly patience and help. I would give him and Stokes some domestic games up front together. I want him to stay at Celtic and grow up— Bhoy to man. I like him a lot: gallus and cavalier, a type we Celts have time for. Improve his physical fitness but let him get match fit. Play him domestically for a long run of matches. I think he’s good enough for Europa League. Natural goal scorers are often troublesome: its part of the package. Play him day in day out as long as he gives us 100% on and off the pitch. I have a lot of time for Hibees and Hibee supporters and I have a lot of goodwill towards Leigh.
Son, don’t blow it. We want you to succeed.Do what it takes to get on the team. Saviour? No, but a damned fine natural striker. He’s maybe the best natural goal scorer we have at the moment. Maybe him and Guidetti can form a good partnership? As a young man I might think my wife and children would benefit more from my success at Celtic than my success at Hibs. We would all benefit.
Griffiths should definitely play against Hamilton.
Maybe it’s Stokes that needs some bench time?
Deila and Collins, use what management skills you have to let this guy play and play well and to help him. We may need him more than the Hibees ever will.
Ive heard that Leigh needs an extra arm round the shoulder, a little more guidance, a little more man management than most players.
That combined with extra duties on the pitch, defending from front etc, might just mean its taking him a bit longer to adjust to new tactics and direction.
Hopefully, by Xmas all will be clear and we will have 4 decent enough forwards at the club at last who can cover all eventualities and reduce impact of squad rotation.
That and return of 3 right Backs to shore up defence coudl see us looking healthy going into the important part of the season and might just be supplemented with that new midfield maestro in alongside commons and Broony etc
The prize is there Leigh, dont live to regret not seizing it and make sure if it doesnt work it, you will always know it wasnt down to you. Look at Kris Commons 18 months ago for inspiration, ask his advice even, you can do it!
Very well written piece and sincere Tweet – from the heart and it mirrors what we all feel, and have felt, for a great deal of players over the expanse of time.
He won’t read a word of it.
I agree with comment above – he’s a good player, at SPL level potentially a very good player but I don’t think he’s a potential legend with the natural ability of a Daglish, Nicholas or McStay for example.
Best thing for a lad like that is probably to try and get a team abroad, get away from the mates in Edinburgh who will always want to drag him down to the pub or on a night out so that they can show off they know a footballer. Try and get a club in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal etc…get away from the mates and surround yourself with players who take their lifestyle seriously. If he did that he could become a very good player. But he won’t – he’ll end up the same as Riordan and O’Connor.
PS hopefully the approach I’ve suggested above will work for Tony Watt….
I’ve seen enough to know that off the park…he’s not as remotely professional as he should be…And that’s entirely down to him…No one in his position needs to be told how to behave..just do it.
But as the original writer said…If you want drift down the way, and end up like Riordan…..that’s your choice.
What we should also remember ‘though…is his on the field exploits for Hibs…He was outstanding.
A one man forward line who scored goals from every angle…it was a joy to watch.
So,like others on here, my message is simple…
Leigh you have been given a gift and an opportunity that guys like me can only dream about…so take the talent that you were born with…and use it to the full.
Make us remember your name…for all the right reasons.
Good luck son.
The wee man hasn’t had a chance, people keep saying he’s not doing it , that’s because ronny has played him a couple of times on the wing., he is a striker and you won’t see the best of him until he plays through the fecking middle! Like he was doing last year and banging goals in.
It’s the same with stokes , the guy needs to play in a front pairing where he can play off a goal scorer, when he does he plays great and also scores, as shown in partnerships with leigh and Gary hooper, it pisses me off when he either plays through the middle on his own or on the wing and people wonder why he doesn’t score!
Just revert to a front two ronny and you will get two better players for it , who agrees the one up front pish has to be changed quick?
Totally agree,Derek.
Deila(sorry,Ronnie) in the few chances he has gave Sparky,plays him wide.The guy’s a goalscorer.Proven at Hibs,and when he came in,in January,scored goals as a STRIKER.Time for RD to give him a chance !!
Leigh will turn it round if he gets a chance. I wish someone would write an open letter to Ronnie. Ron cut out the shite talk to the media. Every time I open a paper he’s making some niave statement. Starting to worry.
What station is game on? can’t get to glasgow. HAIL HAIL
London Celt,
The latest from Deila, just a Treble and 10 points in our Europa group.
My worry is what team he plays tomorrow.
Game is on BT Sport 1.I’m in Paisley and can’t make it Glasgow.Well,I could,but after
Maribor disaster,many on our supporters bus,did not want to give the club any more
of our hard earned money.If they won’t deliver us a team,ready for CL qualifiers, then they PAY the consequences.This will be reflected in the size of the crowd,tomorrow.
Cheers.
Mr L Griffths is a striker not a winger. Has collins watched the Tic or Hibs in the last twa years?
BT 1 believe.
He is a racist cvnt. Get him tae feck
What is Stokes then ? A bully boy ?
Thanks holy sea, and Ian. Someone at parknead needs to take ronny aside and tell him to tone it down a little bit. It’s all a bit niave. It’s almost as if he’s new to dealing with the media. It’s cringeworthy at times. I really want him to succeed. He seems a good ,decent man. Hail hail bhoys get stuck in tomorrow night let’s get the three points. Come on broony
Maybe its his first time deaing with a Press with their own Agenda…leading questions etc
As Ralph has raiseda few times…what are the Celtic P.R or Media team actually paid for…they should be making sure any new manager doesnt get left in the Media headlights. To be honest, I thought John Collins would have helped with that side a lot more too.
On the pitch i like the cut of his jib, i like the way he plays the game, he will chase lost causes, hassle defenders and makes a general nuisance of himself to the oposition added to his natural finishing ability i rate him highly. What does not sit well with me is his somewhat dodgy personal past ie racist rants on twitter. Everybody deserves a second chance though and the lad realy hes to get his head down work his bollicks off and behave himself.
No the pitch, he’s he type in fact player who can play up front on his own and create goals for you himself. It’s actually exactly what we need just now given the current state of the team.
For field, don’t know enough but it’s a fact he’s made mistakes. Hopefully he will listen to advice and not take it as personal like mssrs Watt and Riordon seemed to.