Celtic manager Neil Lennon says Leigh Griffiths is working hard to make a Hoops return, believing it’s realistic he could feature again before the end of the season, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
Griffiths hasn’t played for the club since December after taking a break from football to focus on personal issues, although recently returned to work at Lennoxtown, building fitness ahead of potential first-team training.
The club and Lennon have been sure to insist that there is no pressure on his shoulders when it comes to first-team appearances, but the manager now feels the striker is closing in on wearing the Hoops shirt once again.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the interim boss said:
What have we got until the Cup Final, six weeks? Yeah. It’s realistic. But 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 getting there. It’s a slow burner, but we understand that as he’s been out for such a long period of time.
It’s going to be hard for him to get into the squad with the way the boys are playing.
There are a lot ahead of him and they have earned the right to play in a cup final.
It’s fantastic to hear that Griffiths is pulling extra shifts in his attempts to make a Celtic impact again and pleasing that he has the full support of Lennon, even if the manager acknowledges there are plenty ahead of him in the striking pecking order.
With Vakoun Bayo out with a hamstring injury and Oliver Burke & Timo Weah heading back to their parent clubs soon, Griffiths’ return will be welcome heading into the summer.
Odsonne Edouard is the definite king at Celtic Park, but having the former Hibs man in support during the upcoming qualifiers could be key.
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