Life has been unfair to Leigh Griffiths over the last few months. Be it mental health issues or physical injuries, the Scotsman has never been allowed to get his career back on track in recent times.
The last time the striker played for the Hoops was in a league game against Hearts and despite having played just three times, he has also scored twice in the Premiership. In the club’s UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, Griffiths also scored once for Celtic.
Since the game against Hearts, the striker has not played. A hamstring injury hindered his progress and he has been out since.
That isn’t all though. Last season, Griffiths had taken a special leave from playing football at the turn of the year. It was later revealed by the player himself that he was dealing with mental health issues and that was the reason for the break.
Clearly, he isn’t in the best spot. Injuries haven’t helped his progress as Griffiths has missed 46 games due to injury since the beginning of the 2017-18 season. This record isn’t promising for any player, especially when he is 29 and is set to, potentially, approach the last 4-5 years of his career.
Having said all that, the striker boasts of an impressive tally of goals. In a total of 211 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, he has racked up 107 goals and as many as 47 assists as well.
The numbers clearly show that the player is still a potent goalscorer. The fact that he did score two in three appearances this season is also a reassuring sight in its own. But question marks have been raised by many Celtic fans about whether they can still make do with the Scotland international.
The last time Griffiths played for the national team was in October 2018 in a 2-0 win over Albania. Since then, he has not been selected at all. That period coincides with the break that he took when 2019 began. Things could have been very different.
As things stand, former Paris Saint-Germain man Odsonne Edouard has been the first-choice striker. He has scored eight times in the league – 12 times in all competitions. He also has an impressive tally of 12 assists. The numbers show why he is the first-choice ahead of anyone else.
Young Vakoun Bayo has played six times but has not found the back of the net even once yet. 19-year-old Jonathan Afolabi hasn’t played at all this season either. Indeed, this points at a lack of depth up front – something Celtic would need to plug as the season wears on.
Rangers are currently on their tails, only behind on goal difference. The minute differences can cost Celtic the title. And up front, they could be one injury away from failing for goals, if Griffiths isn’t played.
Not just that, but with Europa League knockout round qualification all but sealed, there is a need for cover in all positions. Griffiths can do that upfront. He has been at the club long enough to work his socks off for Celtic. And for his numbers, effort and the situation, the £1.8m-rated forward deserves a chance in the first-team.