Why Celtic should offer Leigh Griffiths a contract extension

While Speaking on Open Goal (h/t Daily Record), Scottish striker Leigh Griffiths admitted that he wants to finish his career at Celtic.

The 29-year-old finisher has just two years left on his current contract but is hoping that an extension will help him secure a long-term future with the club. Griffiths has been a loyal servant for Celtic since his arrival at the Parkhead six years ago from Wolves.

To date, he has made a total of 234 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions and has scored a massive 115 goals and 49 assists. A true talent, Griffiths has been a long-term servant at the club due to his consistency and is still a key player in the current Celtic line-up.

The seasoned campaigner was in sizzling form this season as well, netting 9 goals from 21 league appearances for the Scottish side. He has also contributed to the side with four assists, forcing manager Neil Lennon to include him in Celtic’s first-team setup after falling out of favour with former boss Brendan Rodgers.

His superb displays in front of goal helped Celtic gain a dominant 13-point lead and moved them closer towards the league title before play got suspended due to coronavirus crisis.

Griffiths still a key player for Celtic

Griffiths had made his entry into the side just midway through the season following injuries and off-field issues. But he still managed to hit top-form, making him an integral part of Lennon’s side this term. The Scotsman had a rather turbulent season last year due to consistent injuries and poor form that saw him fall down the pecking order under Rodgers.

Last season, he played just 11 league games for the defending champions and had scored only twice, forcing Rodgers to look for better options in his squad. Despite a tough campaign last term, Griffiths has managed to break into the side this year, giving a clear glimpse of the talent that he is.

The superb form of Celtic’s main striker Odsonne Edouard has put him in the shadows. However, he still remains a consistent goal-scorer for his side over the years. This is clearly evident from his performances for the Hoops over the years except for last season.

Moreover, with the side’s other two forwards – winter signing Patryk Klimala, and Vakoun Issouf Bayo failing to impress boss Lennon, Griffiths remains key to Celtic’s success in the coming days. Considering Griffiths’ return to form this year, Celtic must offer him a contract extension if they wish to stay on top in the future.

Read more:

• Why Michal Karbownik to Celtic would boost their left-back options
• Why Aaron Hickey would be a good investment for Celtic
• Celtic star Jozo Simunovic expresses desire to extend stay at the club – Should Lennon hand him a new deal?

Verdict

A winner of six Scottish league titles and top-scorer (31) in the 2015-16 season, there is no questioning Griffiths’ goal-scoring abilities. Moreover, his presence will only help in the development of young strikers like Klimala, who could learn from his experience.