<\/p>\n
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\u2019ll outright praise, and thank, him for his efforts of late.<\/p>\n
Now, it\u2019s 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\u2019s imagine that you are sitting in the bonus chamber, sorry Peter Lawwell\u2019s 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\u2019ll guarantee them safe passage to next season\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n
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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t think that he has been (footballing wise) ever happier. He\u2019s the top attacker at the top club in the country, when he\u2019s fit he knows he can destroy any team up here and that is probably why (as well as a nice pay rise I\u2019d guess) he was eager to sign up for another five years. I\u2019m not saying that it\u2019s 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\u2019ve heard a whisper that there was going to be a bid of around \u00a38m put in for him \u2013 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\u2019s getting better as well. I\u2019ll 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\u2019s a much fitter boy as well, he\u2019s 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\u2019 lack of ability with his right foot.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In fairness to McCall he probably won\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Yeah, John Collins and right foots eh?<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In time he could be the next big money export, I hope he\u2019s not and I hope to see much more of this.<\/p>\n
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