Celtic’s Griffiths played barely a full half of football during Scotland’s October fixtures.
Charlie Nicholas has criticised Gordan Strachan’s Scotland tactics – in particular his overlooking of Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths – in an interview with Sky Sports.
The Tartan Army were well beaten 3-0 in Slovakia on Tuesday night, with Griffiths starting the game on the substitutes’ bench.
The 26-year-old is arguably Scotland’s biggest goal threat, having scored eight goals in 12 appearances for Celtic this season – in addition to the 40 he netted last term.
Instead, Strachan, who deployed Fulham’s goalless striker Chris Martin over Griffiths against Lithuania on Saturday, opted for Sheffield Wednesday’s Steven Fletcher in Trnava, with the Bhoys front man eventually brought on when Slovakia were already two goals ahead.
And Nicholas, who scored five goals in 20 caps for Scotland, believes a two-man partnership with Griffiths included could be Strachan’s solution.
“Northern Ireland and Wales pick a shape and a team that suits their players and we must do that but he chops from one to another,” the 54-year-old told Sky Sports. “He never really goes with two up front, when Griffiths is fit and sharp, ready for Celtic and scoring goals he never really picks him.”
October’s results have seen Scotland drop to fourth in World Cup qualifying group F, having won their opening game against Malta by an emphatic 5-1 scoreline.
And it doesn’t get any easier for the Tartan Army, with a trip to Wembley to face the Auld Enemy – who currently top the standings – up next.
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