Celtic boss Lennon sets Griffiths the target of returning for Scottish Cup final

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Celtic interim manager Neil Lennon has thrown down the gauntlet to Leigh Griffiths to return to the squad for next month’s Scottish Cup final, as per the Sun.

Griffiths hasn’t played in 2019 yet, but Lennon has challenged the Scottish international to make his comeback in the showpiece match against Hearts on May 25.

He said: “What have we got until the Cup Final, six weeks? Yeah. It’s realistic. 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 getting there.”

Giving Griffiths a target to aim for is smart management by Lennon, and it would of course be a huge boost to the players and the fans if Griffiths was to make a return at Hampden next month.

But the most important thing is that Griffiths comes back 100 per cent fit and healthy. If that’s soon, then amazing. If more patience is needed then that’s what it takes and Celtic will have to get the job done without him.

They’re more than capable of doing that and Odsonne Edouard has done a great job of picking up the goalscoring mantle in his absence.

But if Griffiths could make a triumphant return, it would set him up for a strong pre-season and a full comeback and recovery.