Griffiths is a talented player but he couldn’t be bothered to get fit and that’s on him!
SUTTON STANDS BY CRITICISM AFTER CELTS BUST- UP
CHRIS SUTTON last night insisted he stands by every word after being confronted by an angry Leigh Griffiths.
The former Celtic striker was involved in a heated exchange with the Parkhead attacker following the team’s 4- 1 loss to Sparta Prague.
Sutton had been highly critical of Griffiths’ fitness issues on TV.
The Scotland international took exception to the comments and sought him out having been made aware of the criticisms.
Sutton had hoped the matter would stay private, but the incident occurred in front of a host of eye- witnesses which brought it to light. The ex- Hoops hero refuses to go into details of a private exchange, but also has no
intention of backing back down from his stance. Sutton ( inset) said: “Let’s get one thing straight immediately. It was a private conversation.
“I will not divulge details. That’s the wrong thing to do and I, for on e , wi l l not b e doing so.
“The one thing I will say is that I understand his frustration. I totally get that, but he has no right to take it out on me.
“Ultimately, Leigh can say what he likes. He has a right to express an opinion just as I have.
“I ’ l l stand by what I said . There’s a reason why he can’t last 90 minutes and has to come on in little cameos. Because he’s not fit. No one is disputing he’s a talented player.
exact
“If people actually listened to what I said about him, I said he was a brilliant player and a brilliant finisher. I paid him compliments. Look at the goal he scored. His instincts are incredible.
“But the obvious point i s that he couldn’t be bothered to get fit for a pre- season tour.
“The point is you have a fit Leigh Griffiths in the team replic a t i n g h i s f o r m of t h e second- half of last season who can last a game, it’s a massive asset.
“The fact he isn’t fit enough is not good enough. He’s not fit enough. He’s overweight.
“He’s frustrated, but it’s not me who didn’t get fit.
“It’s completely unacceptable.
I stand by that.” Sutton was also f uming at Mohamed Elyounoussi being caught on TV coverage looking at his mobile phone after being subbed and cited a lack of commitment.
The Norwegian has defended his corner, but Sutton said: “When results don’t go well , ever yone i s desperate to get it right.
“So l ong as you can l ook around the dressing room and see that ever yone i s fighting together, you can l ook each other in the eye.
“But what happened with Griffiths, I couldn’t accept it. What happened with Elyounoussi, I couldn’t accept it. Who do they think they are?
“It’s a disrespectful l ack of commitment. And if that’s a reflection of the dressing room, Celtic are bang in trouble.”