DON’T EVER WRITE ME OFF
Griffiths after ending Celtic goal drought
LEIGH GRIFFITHS last night tucked away his first goal in five months — then insisted that he is far from finished at Celtic.
Having spent much of 2019 sidelined by personal and fitness issues, speculation has been rife that the Scotland international striker will be allowed to leave Parkhead on loan.
The £3.5million purchase of Patryk Klimala has only intensified the rumours but, after being picked to start alongside Odsonne Edouard at Firhill, Griffiths grasped the opportunity to help fire the holders into the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.
His goal paved the way for a 2-1 win for Neil Lennon’s side and he celebrated by defiantly placing his fingers in his ears.
He explained: ‘The celebration was a message to
the people who are doubting me. There are a lot of pundits and ex-pros who think my time at Celtic is finished. The only way I can shut them up is by scoring goals and playing well.
‘My time at Celtic is far from finished, believe me. Hopefully, this is just the start.
‘I’ve had to bite my tongue, I’m not going to lie. I keep seeing and reading the same stuff on social media.
‘Everyone wants to talk about me, saying that because Celtic are bringing in another striker I’m finished at the club.
‘It’s not nice to see and I wish people would just let me get on with my game.’
Lennon has been firm in his stance that Griffiths will not be allowed to go, although Hibs and Motherwell are credited with an interest.
Having started 2020 with a goal, the 29-year-old not only wants to stay and help Celtic fight for trophies but also force his way into Steve Clarke’s plans as Scotland attempt to navigate a Euro 2020 play-off against Israel in March.
He continued: ‘It feels like the old Leigh Griffiths is back. In the last couple of weeks at training I’ve felt brilliant, really sharp.
‘I want to be back in the Scotland fold come March, that’s a big aim for me. The more games I get, the better chance I have of getting into that squad.
‘Physically and mentally, this is as good as I’ve felt in a long time.’
Lennon handed Klimala a late debut as a substitute for Griffiths but admitted he had been pleased with the No9’s contribution.
He said: ‘Leigh is a great player, he is a great goalscorer. He has had fitness issues and other issues but he had a good week in Dubai and he looked brighter tonight.
‘He got his goal and his set-piece deliveries were excellent, so he can be pretty pleased with his performance.’
Kristoffer Ajer missed last night’s match through injury and his replacement Nir Bitton limped off early with an injury. Lennon praised substitute Jozo Simunovic for his first outing since August.
The Croatian traditionally struggles on artificial pitches but Lennon confirmed that Ajer should be fit to return as his team resumes its Premiership bid at Kilmarnock on Wednesday.
For Partick Thistle boss Ian McCall, there was some comfort in the 2-1 scoreline.
‘It’s a cup tie and we’re out, so it’s not great,’ he sighed.
‘In the first 20 minutes, we couldn’t handle Rogic and Edouard changing positions, but we got to grips with that and I don’t think Celtic had many real chances after that.’