Third spell at Easter Road not out of the question for Griffiths, says Ross

Hibernian manager Jack Ross has said he might be interested in handing Leigh Griffiths an Easter Road return this summer, should he become available.

The 30-year-old striker has cut a frustrated figure this season as Celtic’s bid for 10-in-a-row crumbled.

Griffiths has struck just seven goals in 28 appearances for club and country this term, leaving both his future at Parkhead and a place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland Euro 2020 squad in doubt.

Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass is reportedly keen on offering him the chance to kick-start his career at Pittodrie, having also lured Celtic skipper Scott Brown north ahead of next season.

Now Ross has revealed he would be eager to offer Griffiths a third stint with his boyhood heroes following back-to-back loan spells between 2011 and 2013.

“First of all, he’s not as of yet a player that will be available,” said the cautious Hibs boss ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Cup trip to Stranraer.

“He’s still contracted to Celtic and there’s nothing to say he won’t be as things stand.

“I think it’s an easy connection to make because of his previous time at the club and his association with Hibs.

“Is he a player that we have admiration for? Of course, because his goalscoring record will be up there with the best in Scotland over recent years.

“It’s maybe something that should the opportunity arise, it would be something we’d discuss.

“But certainly at the minute it’s not something we’ve been able to discuss in any more detail because he’s not currently a player who is available.”

● Stephen Glass takes charge of his first game as Aberdeen manager when the Dons face up to Livingston at Pittodrie this evening.

Glass met his new players on Wednesday after completing his quarantine period and has demanded more intensity and energy from the squad.