Leigh Griffiths admits that playing under Neil Lennon is ideal for him this season as he bids to rebuild his Celtic career.
The Hoops forward was given a time-out by Brendan Rodgers last term in order to deal with ongoing issues in his personal life. The Scotland international subsequently revealed he was battling depression.
Griffiths is back at Celtic this summer and has relished his pre-season. Rodgers departed the Celtic dugout in February to manage Leicester City in England’s Premier League, with former Parkhead boss Lennon coming back as interim boss.
He guided the club over the line as they sealed back-to-back domestic trebles and their eighth Scottish Premiership title on the trot, doing enough to earn the manager’s job full-time. With Lennon himself having battled personal demons in the past, Griffiths admits there’s no better man to work under and he has the backing of his boss.
“When [Lennon] got the job it was a big relief for me because he’s someone who has gone through it himself,” said the 28-year-old. “He said this season was a clean slate, to go and show everyone that I can still be a top player. “That’s what I intend to do.”
Griffiths has scored 104 goals in 201 appearances for Celtic. He received a hero’s welcome after coming off the bench in the Hoops’ 2-1 win over Sarajevo last week and it meant the world. “The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up,” he said.
“It was a moment I’ve waited on for a long time. It’s done with now and I look forward to the future.” Celtic are 5.50 to defeat Kalju Nomme 3-0 in Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier in Glasgow.
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