Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
UP YOUR GAME GRIFF!
Rodgers warning for Hoops marksman
BRENDAN RODGERS has warned Leigh Griffiths he needs to shape up if he wants to make it to the very top with Celtic.
The Hoops boss wants to turn the Parkheard hitman into a Champions League striker but told the former Hibs and Wolves attacker he must work harder. Rodgers’ predecessor Ronny Deila urged Griffiths to become a “24-hour athlete” and former Celtic gaffer Neil Lennon also ordered him to clean up his act after off-field issues.
Now the current Parkhead manager (left) has also laid his demands on the line and insists it is up to Griffiths to improve himself in all aspects of footballing life. Ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Aberdeen where Celtic will look to make it 28 domestic games unbeaten, Rodgers said: “Leigh has to work on every aspect of being a professional.
“Talent is not enough. He’s a real good kid. A really good boy and I want to help him. If he can really focus in on outside of the football field he can be a consistent player for a number of years at the top level.
“If not, it might prove to be very difficult for him. He is a brilliant boy but you have to change because it is not by coincidence he is injured consistently.
“If you are not training well then you go into a game and then because of the intensity it catches you out and you feel a bit tight. But not if you are used to it and you are doing it all the time.
“He is such a great lad and he has such a big heart and I want to help him be a
Celtic player not just for one or two seasons – he only really got into the team recently and then got in and got the goals – but to sustain it and be at the top level.
“How often have I said this up here, about Scottish players? It is responsibility. You have to take that on board. He has great enthusiasm and I want to help him but he has to help himself.
“He’s a good boy. He’s not a problem.
“Hopefully he’ll have seen progression in lots of players here through this way of working.”
“It’s total devotion to being a footballer. If he can do that, he can sustain being a top class young striker.”