Griffiths bursts with pride after the young lions’ roaring success
LEIGH GRIFFITHS had to settle for a supporting role but admits he was left bursting with pride as James Forrest led a homegrown assault on Bayern Munich. Six of the team chosen by Brendan Rodgers to start in Tuesday’s Champions League tie were Scots, with Griffiths taking the quota to seven when he appeared as a substitute late in the game. While Callum McGregor claimed a fine equaliser and Kieran Tierney drew the focus of a clutch of attending scouts, it was Forrest who produced arguably the most eye-catching individual display of the night. From a delicious early cross that invited Stuart Armstrong to finish at the back post and numerous surging runs at Bayern full-back David Alaba, Forrest was a persistent threat and there was end product, too, as he provided the clever assist for the McGregor goal.
The winger had been left out of the team for the opening three Champions League fixtures and only got his chance following the hamstring injury sustained by Patrick Roberts last weekend.
Roberts may enjoy golden-boy status with the club’s support but Griffiths has warned the on-loan Manchester City man that his place in the team is not a given.
He said: ‘James and Callum McGregor are a bit under-rated because they’re homegrown boys who have come through the club’s system.
‘James has played at this level for a number of years now and against Bayern he showed what he was all about. His speed caused them so many problems.
‘There might be a perception that Patrick is first choice in that position but James proved that isn’t the case. No one’s first choice here.
‘On his game, James is one of the best players in Scotland. He gave David Alaba a real hard time and when he’s on it, he can terrorise anybody.
‘Of course, Patrick is a great player. But none of the wingers have the right to think of themselves as first choice in this squad.
‘It’s unfortunate for Patrick that he’s injured but it will give James a run in the side. And if he produces performances like he did on Tuesday, he won’t be out of the team.’
Now 26, Forrest has been a first-team player at Celtic since making a scoring debut against Motherwell under Neil Lennon in May 2010. Rodgers may have favoured the more subtle and technical wing play of Roberts this season, but Forrest’s more powerful, direct approach repeatedly pushed Bayern onto the back foot on Tuesday.
Celtic head to France later this month to play Paris Saint-Germain and Griffiths expects Forrest to approach that game with the same zeal. ‘The wee man has no fear,’ states the Scotland striker. ‘He can play in any stadium you like without batting an eyelid. ‘He’s already scored big, important goals for this club in the Champions League and he got his assist for Cal the other night.’ Just as Griffiths (below) was left in reserve to accommodate Moussa Dembele in attack, McGregor was given his opportunity in favour of Tom Rogic, who has previously been Rodgers’ preferred link between middle and front. ‘Cal playing just off Moussa gave us what we’ve been missing,’ continued Griffiths. ‘It was unfortunate for Tom to find himself on the bench but Cal did a great job for us. He’s a natural at creating space in that area and is similar to Tom in that regard. They both love getting on the half-turn and making things happen. They get in behind their midfield and Cal deserved his goal.
‘Each day in training the players want to be better than the next guy. The manager will look at it and although he’s got to pick 11 players for any specific game it’s never the same 11 that finishes.
‘It’s the same with myself and Moussa. There’s a lot of competition for places at this club.
‘No one is guaranteed a start at Celtic. You have to work hard and catch the manager’s eye every day.
‘We showed on Tuesday night that when we do play well, we can run a top side in European football like Bayern Munich very close — and that was with a core of Scottish players.’
Celtic players feature prominently in Malky Mackay’s squad for Thursday’s friendly against Holland at Pittodrie, with McGregor in line to collect his first cap after repeatedly being overlooked under Gordon Strachan.
‘Cal has been in great form for us this season and fully deserves his Scotland call-up,’ added Griffiths who has pulled out of the squad through injury. ‘It’s been tough for him but, just like at Celtic, there’s a lot of competition with Scotland as well. He was unlucky but now that he’s got a chance, he has to take it.
‘It’s a good, hard fixture against Holland in Aberdeen.’
‘NONE OF THE WINGERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO THINK OF THEMSELVES AS FIRST CHOICE IN THIS SQUAD’