Former Celtic boss says he did not expect Leigh Griffiths to develop as he has.
Gordon Strachan has admitted he misjudged how good Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths could be.
Strachan managed Griffiths for Scotland during his spell as manager and benefitted from the striker peaking in form midway through World Cup qualifying.
It wasn’t quite enough to help Scotland qualify, but Griffiths led the charge as Strachan’s Celtic came close.
Speaking to Paddy Power, Strachan said he never expected Griffiths to become such an important player.
He said: “I’ve got to say, five years ago, I didn’t think he’d get to the standard he is now. I thought he was a good player, but not very good.
“So, that improvement is a credit to Griff – there’s something in him that makes him want to get better.”
Strachan went on to defend him over his recent absence from Scotland’s fixtures and believes the Celtic forward has done nothing wrong as he is legitimately injured.
Griffiths has a chance to kick on at club level over the coming months after Moussa Dembele was sold on deadline day.
It now just Griffiths and Odsonne Edouard competing for a place up front, as opposed to three strikers as it was before.
That could change in the transfer window, so Griffiths really needs to make the next few months count.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
