Griff’s had few close shaves but is closer to the chop than ever
It’s no wonder Neil Lennon had as well but the Griffiths his hair shaved into the wood. broadside was also a
He would have been in danger of message to his team-mates. tearing it out trying to deal with The standards have been set Leigh Griffiths. and they have to be met.
The striker has a habit of Lennon has evolved as a giving his gaffers a headache gaffer over his 18 months from time to time. Brendan back at Parkhead. He handled Rodgers called him a lovable the pressure of finishing off rogue while admitting he could the job Rodgers started but also be a pain in the backside. now this is his team and his
Lennon has seen it all before way. He is comfortable in his too. Griffiths poses managers own skin and a commanding the kinds of problems you don’t presence at the club again. see in the coaching manual. It’s his way or the highway.
He has tried the carrot – now A lot of folk are suggesting he has pulled out the big stick. Griffiths is in the last chance
Bosses don’t fillet their saloon but he has a couple of players in public often. When years left on a tasty contract they do it’s for maximum effect. and he’d need to be dragged
Rodgers did it a few times out kicking and screaming. with Griff as well. When he was But where his part in the spotted enjoying a jolly at the grand scheme of things will racing, when he was be is up to him. meant to be sorting Lennon has sent ppi himself out, the players to Siberia former Hoops in the past. He manager reminded c could see Scott SSt him in the papers he Sinclair starting wasn’t on holiday. to free wheel so uut t
Lennon also had to ushered him to cajole him at times the door. last term when he Griffiths has was taking longer to b been superb for CCy y get up to speed than Celtic over the expected. years – but he’s
Griffiths never got n not irreplaceable. back to 100 per cent H He is handy to last term though. Even an 80 per have around but not when he cent Griff is better than most can’t be trusted. This is
– and that’s the problem. He no time to be carrying knows he can do the business passengers and Lennon will even when he’s not at his peak. give Patryk Klimala a crack.
Lennon can see it as well If he doesn’t cut it he’ll bring but it’s a dangerous game – he in someone else to share the needs the frontman to be at his load with Odsonne Edouard. very best this season. Griff has to decide whether
There’s too much at stake he’s happy to pick up his and Griffiths going through the dough and hang around the motions won’t cut it. place for a couple of years or
Which is why the manager get the head down and be part let rip in France. This wasn’t of a bid to make history. naughty journalists coaxing a There is no in-between. line out of him – this was exactly Celtic’s success in the last the message Lennon wanted, decade has been built on and needed, to deliver. work ethic, guys like Scott
And not just to Griffiths either. Brown and Callum McGregor Lennon’s fierce warning was for who’ll run through brick walls everyone in Celtic’s squad. to get every ounce of energy
It was a pat on the back for the out of themselves. guys who came out of lockdown They may be pals but they looking leaner and meaner than won’t be chuffed to see anyever. You could see it the other one lagging or taking up the night in Lyon. manager’s attention. Lennon
Celtic were a bit rusty at times took the sheers to his barnet but there was a real hunger and won’t think twice about about them. Lennon can see it cutting Griffiths loose as well.