MY FEARS FOR LEIGH
750 BRIEFS FOR IBROX Leigh:Thisisthe closest I’ve been marked at Ibrox
FROM BACK PAGE and forced the club and player into action.
Griffiths penned a new four-year deal earlier this season despite the manager being aware of issues in the background.
But Rodgers vowed the club will do everything they can to help rebuild his life on and on the pitch.
Celtic are down to just one striker in Odsonne Edouard but Rodgers insisted the forward’s health is more important.
He said: “He is a football talent and I have always said at big clubs where there is competition you need three strikers.
“I always thought he would be one of those hence the reason why he got a new deal.
“It’s knowing the individual. What you have here is a vulnerable guy but who is a special talent.
“It would have been very easy to say, ‘Oh, you’re a pain in the backside, just move on’ but you know he is a good guy who just needs help.
“He has done amazing to play to the level and score some of the goals he has. But he has reached the point where it is a struggle for him.
“Yes it leaves us short but that is irrelevant. This is our values. It is always the player and the person’s welfare. That is what is most important.
“Leigh is coming out of football for a little while.
“He needs professional help with issues which have been ongoing with him for quite some time.
“As a club we will look to do everything we can to help. There is no period set really, it’s just time and we will see how it goes.
“Most important is he is the father of five children and it’s just giving him FROM BACK PAGE ticket allocation at Ibrox for our match on December 29, we can confirm the 750 tickets received will be distributed through the usual process.
“We would ask that supporters attending are fully aware of all matchday, safety and travel information.” enough time to make himself right and feel good and better.
“What’s most important is Leigh’s welfare. Football is irrelevant if he is struggling in other areas.
“The most important thing is to help him find the consistent happiness that allows him to then progress.
“It’s a number of issues. Normally people with those issues have more than one and it snowballs into other aspects of their lives.
“He wants the help. People see football players with money and associate that with everything being all right but that’s not always the case.
“Footballers aren’t robots. They’re young guys who still have issues.
“If you’re talking about sheer talent then that’s what Leigh has and he’s a good guy as well.
“I have a lot of time for him. He’s a great boy and we have spoken in confidence many times about a number of aspects of his life.
“Also, we know we have to help him and he knows he has to help himself.
“Ultimately the responsibility will always go back to you.
“You have to want to do it. It’s no good everyone else wanting it for you.” WHO PAIRS WINS BY MICHAEL GANNON BRENDAN RoDgERs admits he’s had to chuck away the coaching manuals a few times for Leigh griffiths over the last couple of seasons.
The Celtic boss has used the carrot and stick treatment on occasions. Sometimes he’s tried to batter the striker with the carrot as well.
He’s that kind of player. One who delights and exasperates his manager with equal measure.
Rodgers has relished the challenge of keeping the “little rogue” as he calls him on the straight an narrow but there’s only so much a manager can do.
Especially when he’s seen the warning signs behind the scenes.
In public, Griffiths has been the usual Griffiths. He’s missed a chunk of football this season but any time he’s been involved it’s been business as usual – scoring goals and taking the p***.
Even this week he had Rangers fans in a twist with a trademark cheeky jibe but Rodgers knew there was darkness lurking behind the grin for a long time.
The manager loves that bit of devilment but will let the medical professionals help the Scotland star to conquer his demons.
Rodgers said: “He’s a great guy. He is what he is. I love that about him. He’s a little rogue, he’s cunning, if there’s a different or short way to do it, he’ll do it.
“But I like that in players at times. Lots of supporters will relate to him.
“He’s a big talent, who’s unfortunately suffered over a period of time. We’re hoping we can help him here and get him back to doing what he does best, which is enjoying his life and being a father to his kids, and showing his talent on the football field.
“Just get away from football, don’t even think about it if you can, just rest. Let’s get you on the path to recovery.”
Rodgers admitted there’s nothing in the coaching badges to prepare managers for situations such as star strikers needing to spend an indefinite spell away from football due to off-the-field issues. He said: “No, this is called the experiential curve. Thankfully with my experiences of coaching, then moving into management, I’ve seen it before. “My experience tells me what is most important is the person. Forget Leigh Griffiths the football player, the ignorance that is shown towards other aspects of his life. It’s him as a human being.
“Help him find that happiness and then life looks a lot brighter. I’ve a good and close relationship with him. In general that normally is the case. You hear of things that can happen and it surprises you because people will try and pretend not to show vulnerability and get on with life.
“With Leigh you know where he is at because of his behaviour and his actions and I have talked openly a lot with him. As you do as a guardian and looking after your guys, sometimes you have to be harsh to be kind so he has