Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie was left shocked after he saw that Leigh Griffiths remained on the bench from the start last night, in the 2-2 draw with 2nd placed Ligue 1 side, Lille.

Speaking to Football Insider, the ex-striker believed that after scoring at the weekend, Griffiths deserved the start ahead of Albion Ajeti and was surprised to see that wasn’t the case.

”The game was away from home so you need somebody that has got a lot of energy.

“I would have said to Griffiths, ‘Give me an hour or 45 minutes.’ No disrespect to Ajeti and Klimala but I would rather take a half-fit Leigh Griffiths up top over them.

“He scored a great goal at the weekend and that is what he does, that is Griff. He is a natural goalscorer.”

The Scotland international scored a crucial goal at the weekend against Aberdeen, but I do believe it was the right decision to start Ajeti and he proved that was the case with his performance.

The Swiss striker put in a good display, in particular the first-half, setting up the opening goal, with a good flick into the path of Mohamed Elyounoussi, relighting that Basel connection.

Griffiths has scored a few since making his return to the side, and that finish against Aberdeen at the weekend was immense, but I do think Ajeti’s European quality, was on show last night.

The 30-year old will certainly still have his uses in the side as we have seen and I’m sure he will continue to score many Celtic goals for the next few years to come.

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