LEIGH GRIFFITHS would be “a fantastic signing” for Hibs, according to former Easter Road No.2 Billy Brown.l
The striker is on the brink of leaving Celtic if the club do not activate the remaining 12 months on his contract.
Interim manager John Kennedy has told the frontman, who has claimed only seven goals in a wretched season for the individual and the club, he has can no guarantee game time between now and the end of the campaign.
When the news broke the Hoops may not trigger the extension, as CQN reported last week, the Scotland international, who will be 31 in August, was linked with a reunion with his Parkhead pal Scott Brown at Aberdeen or his boyhood favourites Hibs where he enjoyed a prolific two years on loan from Wolves.
Brown was assistant gaffer to Colin Calderwood and then Pat Fenlon at the time and he was massively impressed by the player’s qualities and technique when the forward fired in 28 goals in two seasons at the Edinburgh club.
HIB HIB HOORAY…Leigh Griffiths celebrates one of his 28 goals for his boyhood heroes during his loan period from Wolves.
In fact, the former deputy chief reckons the Celt, who cost £1.2million when Neil Lennon signed him from the Molineux outfit in January 2014, is on a par with Hearts legend John Robertson in terms of finishing.
Brown said: “All through his career, Leigh has guaranteed you goals. He’s such a great striker of a football.
“I worked with John Robertson at Hearts who I had always said was the best striker of a ball I ever knew, but then working with Leigh at Hibs. I would say he could match Wee Robbo.
“You knew when they struck a ball it was going to be in and around the goal and with Leigh that could be from any distance.
“He is so good with free-kicks, too, which is such an important part of the game.
“Leigh was a big Hibs fan at the time. He enjoyed being at Easter Road, he was the local boy and revelled in the fact he was playing for his club.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Leigh Griffiths celebrates one of his 122 goals for Celtic.
“When Leigh went to Celtic, I thought if he played every week of any season he’d get 30 goals. If he played every game for any club in Scotland he would be top scorer.
“So, if he was to end up back at Hibs it would be a fantastic signing.”
Brown, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “The only thing that worries me is what has happened to him? Why is he not playing much? There was this fitness issue this season and suggestions he let himself go which would be a tragedy if that’s the case.
“Any manager signing Leigh would have to ensure he still has ambition.
“And, of course, who is to say the new manager at Celtic won’t want to keep him after having a look?
“If he sees his goalscoring record then the next manager there might think he still has a part to play.”
