I had to graft in Dubai to show the manager I still wanted to be here
ONE way or another, the start of 2020 was always going to represent a turning point in Leigh Griffiths’ Celtic career. Although back in contention since the start of the season after well-documented personal issues, a recurrence of injuries soon took their toll. In time, it was hard not to look upon the striker as an increasingly peripheral figure.
He made 18 appearances between July and December but only five starts. He appeared to be back-up to not just Odsonne Edouard but to Lewis Morgan, nominally a winger.
Despite all the protests to the contrary, Griffiths looked like a luxury item as Christmas approached. One which could be traded or loaned come the end of January.
Deep down, as Celtic prepared to recharge their batteries in Dubai, the player knew this much, too.
‘The first couple of months when I came back were great,’ reflected the 29-year-old.
‘It was good being back involved with the boys but then I got injured and you struggle to get your fitness back.
‘There were a lot of rumours about stuff, that you might be moved on.
‘January was the crossroads for me. If I hadn’t gone away and worked hard in Dubai and shown the manager I wanted to be here and force my way into the side, it could have been a different story.
‘It just goes to show how good my mental strength is. To go to Dubai, work hard and get fitter by the day put me in a better place.
‘When I got my chance, I was ready to be called upon and I put in the performances that kept my place in the team.’
Neil Lennon, we now know, was already pondering the possibility of rolling out a tweak in formation in the second half of the campaign.
But any shift towards a back three would be almost pointless unless he could get an extra striker on the field.
To all intents and purposes, Griffiths underwent a week-long trial under the Arabian sun in order for his manager to weigh up the possibility of him partnering Edouard, rather than simply deputising for him.
The Scotland striker met with his manager’s resounding approval. Re-energised and reshaped, Celtic thereafter were irresistible. They ran off 11 straight domestic victories, progressed in the Scottish Cup and left Rangers, who they had lost at home to on December 29, a mere dot on the horizon. ‘Going away, we had a few days to reflect on the defeat at Parkhead,’ Griffiths explained. ‘Then we had a team meeting before the first training session in Dubai. ‘It was said that we might need to go unbeaten from now until the end of the season to make sure we are champions. ‘After that, it was about topping up the fitness as much as we could, and also enjoying ourselves as well. ‘You also need to remember that we’d played 40-odd games by the turn of the year. ‘Boys were running on empty a bit, so we had to relax in Dubai but also put the work in. ‘When we came back, it was like we had a new lease of life. We just blitzed teams along the way.’ Effectively out of sight when all football was suspended in mid-March, the SPFL’s confirmation of Celtic as champions last week wasn’t how anyone could possibly have envisaged it way back in July. The sight of the Premiership trophy being delivered on Griffiths’ doorstep was indicative of the surreal nature of the current situation.
‘It just felt weird,’ said the striker. ‘It didn’t feel like we’d won it yet as we weren’t parading it in front of the supporters at Celtic Park.’
No matter how it came about, the record books now show that Griffiths has developed an indelible bond with the trophy. He’s been present for seven of the record-equalling nine titles the club have won.
Such a prospect didn’t cross his mind when he joined from Wolves in 2014.
‘Honestly? No. I was surprised to get my move in the first place,’ admitted Griffiths.
‘But to be here six years later for nine (in a row) — and on the cusp of ten — is something you can only dream of.
‘When I first arrived, the fans were singing for ten and you don’t really believe it. Now we do believe.’
Predicting the shape of Scottish football’s landscape when hostilities resume is a truly impossible task.
Celtic’s key players could be the subject of interest from clubs from bigger leagues but they are still under no financial pressure to sell.
With Lennon actively seeking new recruits, the one certainty is that they will take their place in the starting blocks still very much the team to beat.
‘Our players will always be linked with moves elsewhere,’ added Griffiths.
‘Cal (Callum McGregor), James (Forrest), Odsonne... they will all be linked with big-money moves.
‘It’s not to say they don’t deserve it, they do as they’ve been at the top of their game for so long.
‘But I think it will be in their heads to stay for one more season, get to the ten and leave with everybody’s best wishes. That would be the perfect scenario.
‘I think it will be very difficult for teams to stop us.
‘But, you know, let’s see them have a go. Aberdeen, Hibs, Motherwell and Rangers especially will try to stop us.
‘It’s all about us. If we bring our A-game to 90-95 per cent of the games, it’s going to be very difficult for teams.’