Interim boss Lennon wants Griffiths back before the end of Celtic’s season

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic interim manager Neil Lennon has told Leigh Griffiths he wants him back before the end of the season if possible, according to the Daily Record.

Griffiths has been sidelined for a number of months now but Lennon has reassured the Scotland international that the change of manage at Parkhead has not diminished the desire to get him back into the fold as soon as possible.

Lennon said: “The sooner we get Leigh back the better. Obviously we are keeping tabs on that as well and want to get him back on the training ground as soon as possible.

“Is he close? Not at the minute, no. I don’t know if this season is feasible. We will have to gauge that.”

It could well be a tough ask to get Griffiths fit and firing to the extent that he can make a real impact in the run-in after such a period of time out of the side.

Even if he is in the right place to come back, shaking off the inevitable rustiness and getting to grips with Lennon’s demands will take time and there isn’t much of a bedding in period during a hotly-contested title race.

The most important thing – as Lennon understands – is that Griffiths returns to full health and happiness. Football comes secondary to that.