The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Griffiths has high hopes of return
Leigh Griffiths insists grabbing a slot in Gordon Strachan’s Scotland line-up remains the height of his ambitions.
The national team boss raised eyebrows this week when he admitted his need to balance out physicality with skill on the international stage made it difficult for the 5ft 8in Celtic striker to break into his starting XI.
Griffiths, who blasted 40 goals for the Hoops last term, responded by cheekily changing his Twitter name to #Shorty.
But the 26-year-old insists there is no fall-out with Strachan and hopes to convince the Scotland manager he is worth a place in the side to face England in next month’s World Cup qualifier.
He said: “The Twitter thing was just a bit of banter. I’m always delighted with a Scotland call-up, regardless if play or not.
“It’s an unbelievable honour
Ipulling on that Scotland jersey. Whether the gaffer sees me as a substitute or a starter, I’m always happy to be called up.
“I’ve got no qualms about the manager’s starting XI. Everyone is making a big song and dance about it. But he has a difficult choice to make.
“I think (Strachan’s comments) have maybe been taken in a different context. Hopefully if I get called up for the England game and if he wants to have a word with me, fair enough.
“Who can complain about the manager’s decision? He calls the shots at the end of the day. He doesn’t need to explain to me his decision.”
Griffiths, who has also lost his club place to Moussa Dembele, admitted: “I don’t like being on the bench at Celtic, I don’t like being on the bench for Scotland.
“But the only way I can change that is by working hard in training and trying to change my game. Hopefully I can change the manager’s mind here at Celtic and after that we’ll see where we are with Scotland.”