Griffiths must find his desire again – Maloney

Shaun Maloney has warned out-of-shape Leigh Griffiths he may have opened the door for Patryk Klimala to steal his Celtic spot after being berated by boss Neil Lennon.

The Parkhead boss has given the Scotland striker a furious dressing down after deciding he was not fit enough to travel with the Hoops to the Veolia Trophy in France.

Lennon was left angry after the 29-year-old reported back from lockdown “out of condition and overweight”.

The Northern Irishman has also ordered the 29-year-old – who spent much of the last four months posting light-hearted videos on TikTok – to cut out his “social media nonsense”.

Griffiths missed the second half of the 2018-19 campaign as he took time out to battle personal issues.

Lennon’s patience now appears to be wearing thin, with the manager saying: “If he wants to have a future here at the club it’s down to himself.”

Former Celt Maloney does not believe the row will spell the end of the former Livingston, Dundee, Wolves and Hibernian frontman’s six-year stay in Glasgow.

But he warned he may have fallen behind Klimala in the pecking order after watching the Pole fire his first goal in Celtic colours to hand his side a 1-1 draw with Nice on Thursday night.

Maloney said: “Leigh has to find the motivation to fight for a spot. He has to want to be the striker they go to, along with Odsonne Edouard. The motivation has to be there.

“Klimala arrived in January and he’s worked hard during the break. It’s another person’s opportunity. That’s what happens, things don’t wait.”