GRIFF DOUBLE BLOW

BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed Leigh Griffiths could be out of Scotland’s Nations League encounter against in Albania on November 17 and the game against Israel at Hampden three days later.

The Celtic boss said: “It will depend on Leigh, how quickly he responds to treatment and how hard he works to get fit.

“He’s getting better and his calf injury is coming towards its end. He’s not on the playing field yet, but he’s working with the medical team and the sports science team to get as fit as he possibly can.

“However, if he is fit for that period he certainly WON’T be matchfit.

“I spoke to Alex McLeish at a function last week and we had a good chat among things and I’m sure he’ll have spoken to Leigh. But we have 10 players out injured at the moment and they’re all working hard to get back as quickly as possible.”

Griffiths, who pulled out of the international squad for the games against the Israelis and Portugal earlier this month, would leave international gaffer Alex McLeish with a massive headache if he is forced onto the sidelines.

Hearts striker Steven Naismith has already been ruled out for eight weeks as he undergoes surgery on a knee cartilage tear.

He limped off early in his side’s three-goal thrashing from the Hoops in the Betfred League Cup semi-final on Sunday.

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