BBC Scotland pundit and former Celtic goalkeeper, Pat Bonne r has made the case that Leigh Griffiths should depart the club in the summer.
Speaking on last nights BBC Sportsound, Bonner believes that it is time for the club to break away from Griffiths after a seven-year stay in Glasgow. The Irishman thinks with the period that the 30-year old is entering in his career, it is time for the former Hibs man to go elsewhere as he potentially begins to enter the finals years in football as a player.
“I think it’s time to change all of that now for Celtic. They’ve got to change personnel. They’ve got to – people who have been on the fringes now – they’ve got to change everything.
“Leigh Griffiths is one of those you would be saying ‘he has to find pastures new’. He has to go.
“He’s only 30-years-old. He’s got another four or five years if he gets himself right, to go and perform and score goals.
“That’s his business, that’s his game and he’s got to go and do it. He can’t hang around at Celtic – of course, he’ll be on decent money I’m sure – but that cannot be your prime objective totally.
“You’ve got to go and finish off your career somewhere that you can make an impact.”
Last night, Griffiths was the man to score the late equaliser that levelled things in for Celtic against Aberdeen. But Bonnar was strong in his claims that he should depart the club after the game.
Today, we have seen one striker head for the exit door in Patryk Klimala and to me, it looks like Griffiths could follow suit shortly after.
He may have popped up with the occasional goal this campaign, however, it simply hasn’t been on a regular enough basis with fitness being an issue for the frontman.
The club will have a decision on its hands in the next few weeks as to whether we see Griffiths remain at the club going into next season.
If he stays fit then he’s a £6-7 million striker and probably the best finisher in Scotland. He is also top notch when it comes to free kicks and corners. I would extend the contract for 1 more year as we may end up really needing him. If he does well then maybe offer a new contract or sell for a better price. If he lets us down then it’s over. It seems to me that not a huge downside offering him 1 more season but the upside could be significant