They could certainly be doing with a lethal striker for such seismic fixtures. "This is the biggest challenge of Leigh's career," says former Scotland striker Billy Dodds, who coached Griffiths at Dundee a decade ago. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) Leigh Griffiths shots an average of 0.35 goals per game in club competitions.
"You've got to admire him for the number of strikers he has seen off at Celtic. He had more to his game, his link-up play was excellent, he had a brilliant partnership with Odsonne Edouard - they were unplayable at times. "He is the best natural finisher Scotland have. "He's had well-documented problems, but when he came back in last season he was a better player. "With an unprecedented 10th successive title on the line, Celtic have precious little scope for unreliability. His transition back into the starting XI since the turn of the year, after months out dealing with mental health and fitness issues, had been a success.All seemed well, yet Griffiths' standards slipped as he returned out of shape for pre-season this summer, incurring the wrath of manager Neil Lennon, who left him behind for the training camp in France.After 115 goals in 233 appearances since moving to Celtic in January 2014, make or break time beckons for Griffiths' Parkhead career. "Scotland are definitely a better team with Griffiths in it," says Dodds. Don't worry, we're adding them in soon.FootyStats is your best resource for stats such as Goals, Over 2.5/Under 2.5, HT/FT, Dynamic In-Play Stats, and much more. "Leigh has got to realise what a chance he's got. But I wouldn't put it past him to train like a demon, get back in the team and score the goals to keep him there. His teammates in his breakthrough period at Almondvale Stadium included fellow youth graduates and future Scotland colleagues Robert Snodgrass and Graham Dorrans. Defeat the Israelis, and then Norway or Serbia, and the country's 23-year wait for a major finals will be over. "Pat Bonner, who served Celtic for 20 years as a goalkeeper, feels a spell away may be the solution. "A fit and firing Griffiths would give Scotland a better chance. Leigh Griffiths (born 20 August 1990) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish Premiership club Celtic and the Scottish national team. "Griffiths should have been the top-class striker Scotland have needed for years. Media playback is not supported on this device But you fear with Ajeti and Klimala as well as Edouard, it's now a step too far for him. Leigh Griffiths on Scotland goals against England. And next month will mark two years since the last of his 19 caps, a total which hints at unfulfilled promise. When he's fit, focused and playing every week - like he was at the tail-end of last season - he's such an asset to the national team. By early October he had scored 10 goals in 18 domestic and European matches.On 15 January 2016, Griffiths scored his 50th goal for Celtic, opening the scoring in their 4–1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice; he became the fastest Celtic player to achieve this landmark since Griffiths was a key player in Celtic's fifth successive league title success, scoring 31 goals in the league.Griffiths opened his account for the 2016–17 season in the second leg of Celtic's Champions League second qualifying round match against The incident was one of several instances of missile-throwing in a fixture which was always expected to be problematic due to On 23 September 2017, Griffiths scored in a 2–0 win against Celtic's Glasgow rivals On 30 August 2018, Griffiths scored his 100th goal for Celtic when he netted the opener against Griffiths was added to the full Scotland squad in November 2012 for a friendly match against On 10 June 2017, Griffiths scored his first goal for Scotland with an 87th-minute free kick against Six appearances and three goals in the UEFA Champions League and five appearances and one goal in the UEFA Europa LeagueTwo appearances in the UEFA Champions League and five appearances and two goals in the UEFA Europa League Last season … "He could have been the difference between Scotland qualifying or not. He just keeps proving himself. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)However, he is getting back into the firing line with his most recent goal coming against St Johnstone.Now competing against three strikers, Griffiths knows it’s make or break time with Celtic.Sure, he will always be remembered for the England goals, but he knows he can continue to make greater memories until he eventually retires.
Connor is a passionate football fan who wants to convey his love for the game through his articles. "Scotland return to action in September with a Nations League double-header, but it's the Euro 2020 play-off the following month that is occupying supporters' minds. Leigh Griffiths statistics – 30 years_old Celtic Forward. "He needs to get back to that, and I really hope he does. Griffiths made his debut for Livingston as a sixteen-year-old, after coming on as an 82nd minute substitute during a 3–1 defeat to Airdrie United on 30 December 2006. "Perhaps he should go out on loan just to get some match time. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)But two quick fire blasts on 87 and 90 by Griffiths surely had the game won.Hampden Park and the entire country was in bedlam when the second free kick nestled into the net.It was a dagger into the heart though when Harry Kane popped up with one of the last touches for the equaliser.Griffiths is still renowned for those two goals and what could have been.However, he doesn’t want to be remembered for just that when his time to stop playing comes.The Celtic striker scores the second free kick against England.