NEIL LENNON reckons Leigh Griffiths could have a role to play as Celtic attempt to make history on the season’s silverware run-in.
The Scotland international striker hasn’t made a first-team appearance since taking a break due to personal issues in December.
However, Griffiths has returned to training at Lennoxtown and is making steady progress in his battle for match fitness.
The champions know they are two wins away from their eighth successive crown and could even win it on Sunday against Hibs at Easter Road if results on Saturday go their way.
Lennon is optimistic the 28-year-old forward, who has scored only six goals in this interrupted campaign,can make a return and could even play a part in the Scottish Cup Final against Hearts at Hampden on May 25 where the Parkhead club could clinch the unprecedented treble treble.
Asked if it was realistic to expect Griffiths to feature in the showpiece showdown with the Tynecastle side, the Hoops caretaker gaffer, speaking to the Scotsman, replied: “What have we got? Six weeks. Yeah. It’s realistic for him.
“He’ll have to play and train at least two weeks going into that, so he then has a target of four weeks. He’s had targets. He’s working away in the background and doing his double sessions.
“He’s a player we could have been doing with over the piece as we have been working really with one striker (Odsonne Edouard). That one striker has done brilliantly for me, but it would be good to have another one in the building.
“He’s getting there. It’s a slow-burner, but we understand that as he’s been out for such a long period of time.”
Lennon, who is undefeated in eight games since taking over from Brendan Rodgers in February, added: “It’s going to be difficult for him to get into the squad with the way the boys are playing.
“There are a lot ahead of him and have earned the right to play in a Cup Final.
“I’m going to have to maybe disappoint a few, as well, but they’ve been brilliant. I can’t believe we are talking about a treble treble, it’s phenomenal.
“There were a few disappointed not to start on Sunday and a few the same against Rangers. I get that, but I can only pick 11 and now we have even more competition with those boys back who were out for a concerted period of time coming back to full fitness.”
