No, I don’t know what that means either. but Broadsword is here to explain….
So, Leigh Griffiths has now scored 51 goals for Celtic in 86 appearances. Statistically this places him in the same post code as Charlie Nicholas, Henrik Larsson and a good few other lads who lived in a simpler time where one could express the financial peril of Heart of Midlothian through the medium of song without the Procurator Fiscal taking an interest. Leigh very much belongs to a different era and I’ll outright praise, and thank, him for his efforts of late.
Now, it’s the middle of January and we have a striker (who has been out injured this season already) sitting on 20+ goals, just signed a 5-year deal and seems to have screwed the nut big time. He gives the impression that he is enjoying himself and, quite importantly that he wishes to continue to do so. Therefore, let’s imagine that you are sitting in the bonus chamber, sorry Peter Lawwell’s office, and the telephone rings, you answer it only to hear the dulcet tones of an agent working on behalf of a lower/mid-table EPL club who are looking for a goal scorer who’ll guarantee them safe passage to next season’s guaranteed triple rollover/el gordo/full house TV jackpot. Do you inform them that unfortunately they have dialled the wrong number? Do you GUFFAW at them and SLAP A NOT FOR SALE AT ANY PRICE tag upon our follicly-rejuvenated bag of goal-scoring fun? Do you start to discuss a figure?
Personally, I doubt that he is of the required standard to make an impact in that league. In saying that I remember sitting at Celtic Park telling my mate that I didn’t think he would be up to it for us and the wee bastard went and scored twice in the next ten minutes. Yes, he has improved considerably over the last year or so; his tally is made even more impressive given the fact that he has been often used as a substitute as well. However, is he the next big thing to hit Southampton? Could he help Sunderland to stay up? Could he give Swansea an option which does not resemble something which chases Arnold Schwarzenegger through a jungle? Well, at the moment, I would say no, not yet in any case.
Leigh is, and he knows it, the best striker we have. I believe that he loves this accolade, he revels in the limelight and I don’t think that he has been (footballing wise) ever happier. He’s the top attacker at the top club in the country, when he’s fit he knows he can destroy any team up here and that is probably why (as well as a nice pay rise I’d guess) he was eager to sign up for another five years. I’m not saying that it’s all wonderful that Leigh Griffiths is our best striker, but the facts of the matter are that he is, and by some distance. Without him in our team we have a pretty concerning gap; perhaps a bearded property-entrepreneur may help to alleviate the pressure on Leigh but he is very much out on his own in that part of the pitch just now. So, to return to my semi-ridiculous hypothetical, how much would you sell him for? I’ve heard a whisper that there was going to be a bid of around £8m put in for him – the source was not deemed legally fit to drive, but has hit the bullseye in the past. At the moment I would knock this back. As pointed out, he is the only regular goal-scoring striker we have. He’s getting better as well. I’ll give Sportscene a bit of credit here because it was Stuart McCall and Michael Stewart who made the issue out of him taking both goals with his right foot whereas, in the not too distant past, that would not have happened. He’s a much fitter boy as well, he’s faster and stronger than when he first came in. It was also interesting to hear Leigh talk about the influence of John Collins in getting him to develop the use of his right foot. That prompted McCall to remark upon Collins’ lack of ability with his right foot.
In fairness to McCall he probably won’t remember much about that goal given that 1.3 nanoseconds after it was scored. And with half of the Celtic team not in their own half, as they were in the Jungle, this happened.
Yeah, John Collins and right foots eh?
Accordingly, my verdict is thus: Leigh Griffiths has developed, and I think he will continue to do so. His next challenges are, in particular order: score 40 this season and again next season, make a valid and meaningful impact in Europe next season (other than kneeing someone in the baws), establish himself as the de facto striker for club and country and keep being a good, well better, boy.
In time he could be the next big money export, I hope he’s not and I hope to see much more of this.
If the going rate is anything to go by then anything over £10m and Pedro will punt.
He’s improved under Deila (as have several others) however I still don’t think he’s that special in Europe but that’s not to say he won’t or can’t be be?
I can see Bitton being sold before Griffiths myself which should secure Pedro his rather magnificent Bonus for the year.
I think Leigh having got the England is the ultimate goal monkey off his back is happy to be at Celtic and in no rush to go anywhere any time soon.
He’s after making himself a name at Celtic as big a name as those previously mentioned.
I hope he does though he’s got some catching up to do in Europe to be classed alongside some of them.
I hope he does.
Ralph next time you see your source could you grab a permanent marker an write Guido Marulingo on his arm. Perhaps the information flow can work backwards and we can sign a player that is like Leigh Griffiths in many ways, albeit from a more technical background. Hopefully they can challenge each other and eventually we can sell the Italian food big bucks and keep Leigh.
Always liked Leigh Griffiths as a player, caught my eye when he was at Livingston.
If Griffiths stays in Paradise for the next 5 years I think he will get close to Henrik’s tally.
Would still like to see him up front with a Viduka type tho, a Physical striker who can hold things up lay it off to Griffiths to smash home!
Keep it up Leigh, you are doing the club and yourself proud.
Tiocfaidharla!
Rumours that Fletcher is in Glasgow airport all promted by a shite photo. To save you all from the diatribe here is a link to just the picture if you so wish.
Griffiths: NOT FOR SALE The lesson Lawwell and Co. should have learned from last year is do not weaken the team where/when you do not have anyone to step up as a replacement. We’re still paying for Denayer/Van Dijk. I would slap a ‘not for sale’ sign on Griffiths for at least five years. That will give us time to get some decent striking competition. Cole is short-term and Ciftci won’t be the answer. Like Monti, I like the idea of Griffiths playing off a bigger striker like Cole or Ciftci (for now) who can hold the ball up for him. Lawwell,leave Leigh alone. We couldn’t guarantee a replacement who could score his goals. I also think Griffiths can become a goalscorer in Europe. He’s rare, he’s a natural.
I don’t see any EPL club paying big money for any Scottish players, that why we should be scooping up the best young talent this country has, at all age groups. Rather than downsizing, I’d say it’s a new dawn. HH
The sad reality as Celtic Supporters is that our best players will be sold for the right price.I dont like it but we have to accept it,thats what happens when your own League is small and potless,compared to a money pit next door.
Cheer up tho lads it could be worse we could be English or the H word.
schoosh is correct we have to buy the best Scottish talent before others get there first.
The only other way round that is for the support to control the club and to write up the players contracts.
Good to read a lot of positives on here for a change….a wee question for everyone if Ronny wins the treble ,do you think he should get manager of the year? Or should we still bash him up,Mon the hoops.
He’s onto a hiding regardless it’s Europe or nothing with some I’m afraid.
Which for me says more about them than him.
Charlie, if it was any other manager at the helm and they had the results in Europe Deila has had, they would also be getting it big time, regardless of what they achieved in Scotland.
I think Ronny gets treated unfairly Imo ,he was cheated out of treble last year,is on course for treble this season,we have the best team in Scotland ,with great young prospects ,yet all of a sudden its how we do in Europe now that counts,he has been unlucky in Europe due to injuries,unsettled defence,and loss of form to key players,but I think he’s starting to turn the corner again,hope we hump Hamilton tonight to get the feel good factor back at parkhead
I have thought about the Ronny situation till i am green in the face,last week i tried to analyse myself, wondering if i am being unfair to him and why that should be.
In the end its not important how we feel, we are not going to make the decision,the Board will make that call.
Ronny still has his future in his own hands,he can still turn the situation around.It seems that the Board still has faith in him, allowing him to bring his own players in,if they didnt he wouldnt get any money to spend.
Having said all that,without expressing my own thoughts,if he slips up in the run in then the support will make the decision for them.Hail Hail to the Champions tonight.