STEPHEN THOMPSON insists he would play Leigh Griffiths instead of Moussa Dembele against Hamilton tonight.
The former Scotland international striker reckons last season’s 40-goal man is the better bet for Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.
Griffiths made a rare start against Partick Thistle on Friday night and claimed his tenth goal of the campaign in the 4-1 win.
Thompson said: “I thought he was excellent at Firhill.
“Leigh offers something different from Dembele in that he plays on the shoulder, stretches the game and gives you runs in behind.
“Against Thistle, there was a lot of clever movement in between the centre-halves.
“The moment that changed the game came after Partick had defended well and must have thought they were going in at half-time at 0-0.
“But there was brilliance from Griffiths with a great assist. There should have been a centre-half taking up the front post area, but there wasn’t.
“And it was a well-timed run from Armstrong for the opener.
“For his goal, Griffiths, playing again on the shoulder, was slipped in and Adam Barton had to git rid of the ball – a corner-kick or a throw-in.
“But he dwelt on it, Griffiths was onto it and it was an exquisite finish.”
Man-of-many-clubs Thompson added: “Dembele has scored only once in the last six games and that was the penalty-kick in the 3-0 League Cup Final win over Aberdeen.
“His form has dipped and Griffiths was given the jersey.
“Against Partick, he got five or six shots off, scored a goal and had two assists.
“As a striker, I would be saying to myself: ‘I better be starting the next game’.
“I would play Griffiths ahead of Dembele. He looks to be sharper and in better form.”
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