GRIFFITHS: Miller merits new contract

LEIGH GRIFFITHS claims he is baffled that Kenny Miller is poised to walk out of the door at Ibrox for good next month.

The 37-year-old scored twice for Rangers at Aberdeen last Sunday but has been given no indication from manager Pedro Caixinha that his contract will be extended beyond this season.

And Griffiths feels the veteran’s form is such that he’s entitled to feel aggrieved the Portuguese appears to be calling time on his third spell in Light Blue.

‘People are surprised Kenny is still doing it at this age,’ said Griffiths. ‘But I’m sure he looks after himself well off the pitch and he showed how vital he can be as a team player.

‘He’s still going strong and banging in the goals at the age he is.

‘It’s staggering, the amount of goals he’s scored and the chances he’s

created. He’s only got a few games left to define the season and anybody else who’s in his position would effectively be demanding a new contract. ‘But I think he’s got to prove himself to the new manager, what he can do and bring to the team. ‘If the manager looks over the whole season, he’ll see he deserves a new contract.’ Griffiths has recovered from a broken bone in his back — sustained playing for Scotland against Slovenia — in time for Celtic’s trip to face Ross County tomorrow. The Scot has struggled with injuries throughout this campaign — with the emergence of Moussa Dembele also denying him the chance to replicate last season’s 40-goal tally. But not only does Griffiths have no issues about the Frenchman effectively taking his place, he feels his team-mate could yet scoop the player and young player prizes when PFA Scotland announce their annual awards. ‘He’s up there,’ Griffiths said. ‘I’ve not done it (voted) yet but there are three in my mind for the Celtic Player of the Year. ‘For the PFA one, if he’s not up for both it’ll be incredible. He can still get young player, too. ‘I wouldn’t back against him winning both. He’s had a phenomenal season but so have Scotty (Sinclair), Stuart (Armstrong) and (Scott) Broony. Kenny Miller has done well, too. But he (Dembele) is probably favourite to lift that trophy like I did last season.’ Celtic’s hopes of becoming just the fourth in the Parkhead club’s history to lift the Treble go on the line next Sunday when they face Rangers at Hampden. Griffiths, though, doesn’t buy into the theory that Celtic owe the Ibrox men one after being forced to settle for a draw last time out. ‘If you look at it over the whole, they probably deserved a point,’ he said. ‘But it’s another game at Hampden, another full house and we have to bring our “A” game.’