LEIGH GRIFFITHS will play no part in Ange Postecoglou’s rescue mission in Denmark tomorrow night.
The Celtic striker did NOT travel with the squad yesterday for the make-or-break Champions League second round return leg qualifier against FC Midtjylland following last week’s 1-1 draw in Glasgow.
Griffiths has remained at home, but his non-appearance is not thought to be due to any off-the-field issues, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
Instead, it appeared the forward, who will be 31 next month, sustained a calf injury during the final training session at Lennoxtown on Monday.
BLAST FROM THE PAST…Leigh Griffiths races away after his last-gasp leveller against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last season. Karamoko Dembele is about to join in the celebrations.
Griffiths complained of a muscle strain and a decision was taken for him not to make the journey which leaves Postecoglou with only two fit strikers in Odsonne Edouard and Albian Ajeti.
It is yet another setback for the former Scotland international who did not play an entire 90 minutes last season and who has claimed a meagre 25 goals in the past three years.
He looked to be on his way out of Parkhead during the summer before the remaining 12 months on his contract were activated by Neil Lennon’s successor.
Griffiths missed pre-season training in Wales and the warm-up encounters against Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Brisol City after being ordered home following claims he had sent inappropriate messages to a 15-year-old schoolgirl. Police launched an investigation and the player was cleared when it was found there was no criminality involved.
PROVE YOURSELF…Ange Postecoglou’s advice to Leigh Griffiths.
He was on the substitutes’ bench for the first leg against the Danes, but made a second-half appearance in the 6-2 thumping from West Ham where he was booed by a section of the support.
Asked about the reaction, Postecoglou insisted it was up to the striker to respond. The manager said: “That’s going to be down to Leigh and his performances.
“If he works hard at training and produces the kind of football he can, scoring goals, I’m sure the crowd will get behind him.
“I won’t be telling the Celtic supporters anything. They have followed this club a lot longer than I’ve been here.
“Maybe it is a big challenge for him, but that’s what he wanted.”
