STRIKER Leigh Griffiths has calmed fears among the Celtic support that his substitution own last night’s Scotland win over Malta will not signal another lay-off period for the in-form goalscorer.
Griffiths made one and scored the other in the 2-0 win which keeps Scotland’s World Cup fate very much in their own hands, but it was the calf of the number 9 that Celtic fans were more concerned about last night.
Griffiths latched on to a long through ball, outpaced the central defender and got a shot away. The keeper made a comfortable enough save and Griffiths went down holding his calf. This look like the recurring problem was back just at the most inconvenient time for Celtic.
However Griffiths reported on the scare later in the evening and it was good news.
“It’s all right. The substitution was just a precaution,” revealed Griffiths.
“I was running through on goal and I felt a wee kick to the back of my calf. The game was safe, Malta]weren’t causing us problems and I’ve got a big month coming up for Celtic.
“It shouldn’t be anything too serious and I should be fine for Friday.
“Whether the manager wants to rest me or not is a different story but I’ll speak to the physio then speak to the gaffer.
“You obviously want to be available for Tuesday so if the gaffer wants me to rest it on Friday I will need to do that.”
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan reckons that Griffiths will be fine for Tuesday’s match at Celtic Park against PSG in the Champions League.
“He was a threat. Hopefully he’ll be fine, hopefully for the game next week,” Strachan said.
“I know Celtic have a game on Friday but I think the big one for them, with due respect to Hamilton, would be the one against PSG.”
With Griffiths likely to be rested, with many of the other Celts from the Scotland starting 11, the match against Hamilton should feature the likes of new signing Odsonne Edouard, returning Celt Paddy Roberts and the in midfield the player Strachan continues to snub, Callum McGregor.
McGregor’s ability to open teams up, run with the ball and score important goals could be factors in helping Scotland get the two wins in October against Slovakia and Slovenia.
