GRIFF CAN BE KNOCKOUT IN HIBS RETURN
BILLY BROWN was once reportedly floored by a Leigh Griffiths punch in training at Hibs.
But as much as the former Easter Road No.2 insists that decade-old tale is codswallop, he does reckon the fiery frontman would be a smash hit if he returns to Leith this summer.
The Scotland ace could be freed by Celtic if they decline to trigger a clause in his contract and Hibs are understood to be at the front of the queue.
The 30-year-old is a Hibee and he flourished on loan in Leith from Wolves 10 years ago under Colin Calderwood and then Pat Fenlon.
Brown was assistant to both and saw first hand the devastating effect Griffiths had in front of goal - hitting 28 goals in two seasons.
Such is his admiration for the frontman, he holds him on a par with Tynecastle legend John Robertson in terms of finishing.
But he also saw the other side of the man dubbed Sparky after one training ground incident in March 2012 in which it was claimed the striker floored the assistant.
Brown said: “That was a load of rubbish.
“It was at a training session after a game which we must have lost and Pat was having a go at the players. Leigh bit back at Pat then stormed away.
“So I went after him to bring him back but I only had training shoes on and the next thing I know I slipped on my backside.
“Everyone turned round and thought he’d knocked me out. There was nothing physical at all.
“Leigh has a temper on him but there was nothing in that. Afterwards I got on pretty well with him.”
Brown reckons there are few better goalscorers in Scotland than Griffiths.
He said: “All through his career Leigh’s guaranteed you goals. He’s such a great striker of a football.
“I worked with John at Hearts who I had always said was the best striker of a ball I ever knew. But then working with Leigh at Hibs, I would say he could match wee Robbo.
“You knew when they struck a ball it was going to be in and around the goal and with Leigh that could be from any distance.
“He is so good with freekicks too, which is such an important part of the game.
“Leigh was a big Hibs fan at the time. He enjoyed being at Easter Road, he was the local boy and revelled in the fact he was playing for his club.
“When Leigh went to Celtic, I thought if he played every week of any season he’d get 30 goals. If he played every game for any club in Scotland he would be top scorer.
“So if he was to end up back at Hibs it would be a fantastic signing.
“What’s happened to him? Why isn’t he playing much? There was a fitness issue and suggestions he let himself go, which would be a tragedy. Any manager would have to ensure he still has ambition.”