CELTIC striker Leigh Griffiths could make his return within three weeks after being out for six months due to personal issues.
The frontman, who hasn’t kicked a ball in 2019, is in line for a long-awaited comeback against FK Sarajevo in the opening Champions League qualifier in Bosnia on July 9 or 10.
The first leg tie has been switched from Parkhead, as CQN reported yesterday.
Assistant boss John Kennedy, speaking to the club website, said: “It’s possible Leigh could be involved in those games.
“He has trained with us the last three days. We did a medical screen and a football session when we came back on Monday, a double session on Tuesday and a single session on Wednesday morning.
“He’s trained every minute of every session, so that’s a very positive start for Leigh.
FREEWHEELIN’…Leigh Griffiths slams in a deadball kick against Hamilton Accies – his last goal of the season.
“He’s had a tough time in the last six months or so, so this is an important time. He has worked hard.
“In the latter part of last season he was doing a lot of individual work, to get back that base that he had lost.
“Now it’s all about minutes on the pitch and being on the grass. Again, he has started very positively.
“There won’t be a set timescale, we’ll judge it as we progress. If it’s right that in the coming weeks he’s looking sharp enough to get on the pitch then we will certainly look to do that because a fully-fit Leigh Griffiths is a big asset for us.”
Griffiths scored only six goals in the Hoops’ historic treble treble campaign after being so prolific in previous seasons.
He scored his 100 Celtic goal in the 3-0 Europa League play-off against FK Sudova at Parkhead during the 3-0 win in August.
Griffiths’ last strike came in the 3-0 success at Hamilton in November.
