LENNY’S ON GRIFF’S SIDE
behind Griffiths following his angry spat with former
Parkhead hero Sutton after the disastrous 4-1 defeat to Sparta Prague in the Europa League.
Outspoken Sutton accused the Scotland frontman of not being fit enough and questioned his attitude.
Griffiths contacted the BT Sport pundit to have it out and Lennon insists he’s got his player’s back in the dispute.
He said: “Pundits are pundits and Chris is no different to anyone else.
“But whether I agree with him or not is another thing and I’m pretty sure Leigh can hold his own with anybody.
“Leigh has our full backing. He scored in the game when he came on against Sparta Prague and in terms of his contribution I was really pleased with him.
“He’s getting close to starting games again.
“He started against AC Milan a few weeks ago and didn’t last the course.
“But the way we are using him right now is beneficial for both sides, for Leigh and the team.
“It’s a possibility that he’ll start against Motherwell.”
Griffiths could be joined in the line-up at Fir Park by phonegate bad boy Moi Elyounoussi.
The Norwegian international was another who risked the wrath of his manager during the midweek debacle.
The winger was captured on TV cameras checking his mobile in the stand after being substituted in the second half.
Lennon was far from happy with Elyounoussi but has now accepted his apology and his explanation that he was checking Milan’s score against Lille in the other group game.
The Celtic gaffer says there will be NO punishment for the on-loan Southampton ace despite Sutton also training his sights on the winger’s attitude.
He said: “There’s no issue with Moi. He has already come out and said that he was just checking the results.
“I will take his word for that. He’s a very conscientious player and a great lad.
‘So there will be no fallout from that.
“There will be no punishment, absolutely not.”
Lennon and his players are under pressure to get a result at Motherwell following Thursday night’s horror show against the Czech side.
He questioned his squad’s hunger and attitude after losing to Sparta – and they already trail Rangers at the top of the Premiership table.
Lennon has revealed Celtic had a clear-the-air meeting at Lennoxtown yesterday where, in a departure from the norm, he showed them a rerun of the Sparta horror show.
He believes his team are ready to respond in the right manner against Motherwell today and is confident he has got his message through to them that they must improve.
Lennon said: “We had a meeting on Saturday and went through the game again.
“That is something which I haven’t done for a long, long time.
“I wanted them to see it. We got a few points across that we wanted to make.
“We have to show a much better attitude and apply ourselves a lot better in games because the level of performance on Thursday was simply unacceptable.
“We went through the game and then at the end the players had their say too.
“They are clear now on what is required from them.
“I sensed I’ll get the response I’m looking for. I know what I’ve got in there.
“We’ve got to stay on point. We had a great season last year and we have plateaued a bit.
“But there is more to come from this team and hopefully that will start in this game.
“We need to get our consistency back, whether it be from a physical playing point of view or mentally, switching back on. We have lost concentration at times.”
Lennon has come under fierce criticism and hasn’t been helped by two of his big summer signings so far failing to spark.
Greek keeper Vasilis Barkas was brought in for £5million but is now out of the side with Scott Bain between the sticks.
Irish centre-back Shane
Duffy, a high-profile loan signing from Brighton, has also not lived up to his billing.
But Lennon is convinced both players will come good.
He said: “I will manage Shane the best way I see possible.
“Sometimes that’s not for public consumption.
“We have a duty of care to the player whether he is struggling with confidence or not. That’s the same with every player.
“Shane seems to be in the spotlight quite a bit.
“That’s the nature of the game up here sometimes so you’ve got to show personality and character and come through it and I’m sure he will.
“Barkas is fit and settling in quite well but Bainy is not doing a lot wrong to warrant being left out of the team.
“Vasilis is working away in the background to get up to the form we know he can show.”
Lennon knows victory is imperative against Motherwell, admitting in midweek that his head is on the chopping block.
He has revealed that Celtic’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond has already been in touch following the Sparta Prague defeat – but admitted he expected the call.
Lennon said: “I’ve spoken to Dermot since Thursday but it was a private conversation.
“I speak to him twice a week so it was no different to any other week.”