You couldn’t publish my reaction to Odsonne’s signing but I must jump all hurdles boss puts in way

SAYS LEIGH GRIFFITHS

Leigh Griffiths reckons you couldn’t print what went through his mind when Odsonne Edouard’s £ 9million move to Celtic was completed.

But when it comes to facing challenges and overcoming hurdles during his Parkhead career, the striker has proved himself capable – and believes he can do so again.

Once more Griffiths has a huge task on his hands.

Two years ago, having hit 40 goals in the previous campaign for Ronny Deila, the Scotland man had the gauntlet slammed down at his feet when Rodgers signed Moussa Dembele.

Last summer Edouard was added on loan. This year the move from PSG was made permanent.

Griffiths wants Celtic to be successful. From that point of view he’s delighted to see quality coming into attack for the sake of the club, the supporters and his own chances of winning more medals.

Yet like any player he wants to play every minute possible. He wants to be the first pick and has plenty on his plate again.

Griffiths said: “It doesn’t get any easier for me. Moussa came in two years ago then Odsonne last season.

“It gets more difficult. The manager keeps putting hurdles in my way and I need to step over them all the time. But I will do my best to stay in the starting line-up.

“What was my reaction when Odsonne signed? You couldn’t publish it!

“But that’s purely from a selfish perspective. You want to play as many games as you can. From a team point of view it’s great that we can bring in that kind of quality.

“We have earned a lot of money from the last two Champions League campaigns and the gaffer should be allowed to spend it.

“Odsonne has great potential. Like Moussa, he’s big, fast and strong. He can finish too.

“You want the best players here to have the best chance of succeeding and my aim is to build up my fitness and stay injury free.

“I need to apply myself and take a chance when I do get it. The manager has always said everyone is going to get game-time.

“At times it will be difficult sitting on the sidelines but when called on you need to take the chance. If you do that you could be starting the next game.

“People can say I’m third choice but if you ask the manager I don’t think he’d say anyone is first, second or third choice. He would say he has three quality strikers who can all do different jobs. It’s about the opposition and what he wants to do tactically.”

In some respects sharing the burden is a positive situation.

But Griffiths can also operate in the spotlight. Under the pressure to deliver. He proved that when virtually carrying Celtic over the line to their fifth-successive title.

He said: “Playing under Ronny there was a lot of pressure to score after the first couple of months. We weren’t playing well and everyone was looking for me to score.

“Now we have goals all over the park and that burden has left me which is nice. But I do quite like the pressure of being the main man and getting goals, whether it’s in league or Champions League.

“Whenever I do play, in whatever competition, I do seem to come to the fore when we’re under pressure. This season will be no different.”

One thing he won’t be doing regardless of his situation is moan because Griffiths has matured under Rodgers.

The manager says as long as he’s at the club he wants Griffiths there as well and the player relishes that situation.

Griffiths said: “You are always going to improve under a manager like Brendan Rodgers. The way he conducts himself on and off the park is exemplary. It’s the same with the backroom staff and everyone around the club.

“We go about our business with a certain style and we need to maintain that this season. I’ve changed. My life is completely different on and off the park.

“You can’t leave anything on the pitch. You need to give 100 per cent. If you don’t, you will be found out.

“Every training session is filmed and the manager will look back on it afterwards. He will have a look at who has been doing what and they know everything from the GPS and heartrate monitors.

“I have more bad days at home when I’m not playing. But things are rosy when things are going well and the team is winning.

“When I speak to the manager he always says I am a big part of his plans.

“As long as he is at Celtic he wants me here. That’s good enough for me.”