STRIKE ACE VOWS TO BE MAIN MAN AGAIN
LEIGH GRIFFITHS has insisted that he is capable of being the main man for both club and country after coming back from injury and illness.
Griffiths was caught in the eye of a storm when he withdrew from Alex McLeish’s squad to face Israel and Portugal last month, with the suspicion being that he was irked at Steven Naismith taking the striker’s berth.
His goal against Hamilton Accies on Saturday in Celtic’s 3-0 win was his first strike since scoring the only goal against St Johnstone in the Betfred Cup at the end of September and he believes he is capable now of reminding everyone of his credentials.
“It is the same at club level if I am not playing,” said Griffiths. “If things aren’t going my way and the manager brings in another striker then people talk and I’ve heard all sorts. You can’t let it get to you.
“I was really frustrated
to be out and miss time for Scotland. I have never given up hope of getting back into the squad. It is the pinnacle of your career to represent your country and I am fortunate enough to have done that and scored big goals.
“I fully believe that if I am given the chance that I can go and do that again, for Scotland and for Celtic. I feel well enough to go now and start Thursday’s game against Rosenborg, too. It will be up to the manager. I still trust myself to go and score whoever I am against.
“But you also need to give credit to the guys who have been doing it week in, week out over the last few months. There is a real confidence and flow to the way we are playing just now and we are in a good place with a few of us also come back to fitness now. The manager knows what I can do and I just want to keep my head down now and focus on getting into the best shape that I can be in.”
Griffiths has endured a torrid time with injury over recent seasons. Specialist advice was sought for repeated calf problems at the end of last season with the striker eschewing a summer holiday to start pre-season early. However, he has insisted that he cannot allow himself to be fearful of further injury issues whenever he plays.
“You can’t think like that or else every time you step on the pitch your mind will take over everything else and you will end up injured,” he said. “When I spoke about dark times what I meant is just how hard it is when you are injured and not playing. It is really difficult not to be and to be watching it from a distance.
“I have worked very hard in the gym and with the sports science guys to get through my rahab and I am feeling more like myself now.
“I wanted to concentrate on my fitness. I was heavy. I was overweight.”
And the striker is confident that he can play his part in Celtic getting the result they need against Rosenborg on Thursday night. It was Griffiths who scored against the Norwegians at Celtic Park in the opening game of the group.
“We all believe we are capable of going over there and getting a result,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who scores, we just want to get the points and make sure we have a fighting chance.”