Leigh Griffiths could be facing the exit door at Parkhead despite recent praise from Neil Lennon with actions speaking louder than words as the Celtic gaffer looks to add extra firepower to his squad.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League striker, Noel Whelan, believes that his attitude during the Covid-19 enforced break has seen him lose the trust of his manager.
So what has Whelan said?
When asked to reflect on the news that Celtic are trying to secure the signing of both Ivan Toney and Albian Ajeti and what it means for Griffiths, he said:
“I think Neil is done with Leigh now.
“Once you lose your trust in a player – that is it.
“He was the second choice last year and the player Neil went to. It does not seem like that is the case now. I think his time has come.
“If they could get him out of the club this summer I think they would.
“It seems to me that they want to put their trust in somebody else and with Ajeti, that is what they have done. That is the best way to show a player that you cannot go and do what you have done.”
So is Whelan correct?
He could be. Lennon may be keeping Griffiths on his toes by lining up potential replacements, however, he could also have had enough of not being able to rely on him consistently for a full season.
Patryk Klimala has impressed in pre-season and given that he cost £3.5m, the Hoops boss will be keen to see if the youngster is capable of making an impact either alongside or in support of Odsonne Edouard.
Griffiths remains a talented player and his form in 2020 after the winter break demonstrated that he still has what it takes to contribute towards a successful Celtic team, however, his latest indiscretion will not have gone down well with Lennon and if Toney and Ajeti do walk through the door at Lennoxtown, all it will do is put the Scotland international’s future in green and white further under the spotlight.