Ex-Celtic star ‘surprised’ at Postecoglou’s decision over ‘natural goalscorer’

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Former Celtic defender John Hughes has admitted he was surprised to see new Parkhead boss Ange Postecoglou hand Leigh Griffiths a new contract with the Hoops – and thinks it hints at Odsonne Edouard’s imminent exit from Glasgow’s east end.

Griffiths put pen to paper on a one-year-deal last week as Postecoglou rebuilds the side he inherited from Neil Lennon and Yogi conceded he can see why Postecoglou would want to keep a ‘natural goalscorer’ like Griffiths around, but questioned whether he can help take the Hoops forward.

After a series of high-profile discipline issues, Hughes thinks there were some red flags that would have stopped him offering Griffiths a new deal as he opened up on his surprise at Postecoglou’s decision.

“It surprised me a little bit. There’s no doubting he’s a natural goalscorer,” Hughes told BBC Sportsound (via Glasgow Times)

“That year he scored 40 goals, you think its going to be there every year, but that is never the case

“All the problems Leigh has had over the years – with the mental problems, and all that stuff, but mostly the indiscipline problems in terms of the fitness levels and stuff. That would have been a red flag for me.

“I can understand why [you would want to keep him] because he is a natural goalscorer but I just feel maybe you would be looking to keep moving it forward.

“Does it mean another striker is going? Edouard, maybe, could be on the cards to go so they need Griff?

“There’s no doubt if you give him game time he will get you goals but will he take you where you really want to go?”

Griffiths Celtic career is at a crucial moment

The Scotland striker has never been shy in backing his own ability to shine but now is the time for him to prove he can walk the walk as well as he talks the talk.

If he gets his head down and really works hard, Griffiths could be an important part of Postecoglou’s plans at Celtic – but if he puts in the sort of efffort he has in recent seasons then he’s wasting everyone’s time.

At this stage of Griffith’s career, he might not be short of a few quid but another shambles like last season will see his reputation take an even bigger battering than before.