FORMER Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths is on the look-out for a new club.
The 32-year-old ex-Scotland international frontman has returned from a short spell with third-tier outfit Mandurah City in Australia.
Griffiths, who claimed 123 goals for the Hoops after being signed by Neil Lennon for £1.2million from Wolves in January 2014, was released from his Parkhead contract at the turn of the year with six months still to run.
The 22 times-capped forward agreed a new one-year deal a month after Ange Postecoglou arrived in June 2021 before the marksman moved on a season-long loan to former club Dundee.
THE GOOD OLD WAYS…Leigh Griffiths celebrates one of a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over St Mirren on March 7 2020.
However, after just three goals in 17 outings, the Dens Park strugglers cut the deal short to return him to his parent club.
Griffiths completed the campaign on a short-term contract with League One Falkirk before leaving at the end of the term.
Now, after a short stint Down Under, the once-prolific hitman is training again with Livingston although the club’s boss David Martindale insists he cannot afford to sign the player.
The West Lothian boss said: “I am trying to help him out. I had him in before he went to Australia.
“Everybody knows my history and Leigh’s history is nowhere near mine, but he needs a chance and I am here to help him.
“I want to try to get him fit. Leigh Griffiths is a fantastic footballer and has a fantastic football brain.
“I am using his expertise and knowledge and he has been brilliant with our strikers.”
DOWN AND OUT…Leigh Griffiths rues a missed opportunity at Celtic.
Martindale, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “His fitness is really coming on.
“We did his body fats weeks ago and they weren’t great, but we had players who were worse when they came in at the start of the season.
“We did his body fats this week and he has made phenomenal strides and I am confident that when the time comes for Leigh to get a new club he is going to be in tip top condition.
“I don’t have a budget to bring someone like Leigh Griffiths to Livingston.
“He really enjoyed his time in Australia and I think his aspirations maybe are of playing abroad, but that’s just me speaking.”
