If Moussa Dembele replicate his last season form the Hoops, it wouldbe a contest on who would be Celtic’s leading striker between him and Leigh Griffiths this season.
Last summer Moussa Dembele made the headlines when he arrived at Celtic Park.[spacer height=”20px”]
The young striker managed to net thirty-two times for Brendan Rodgers side, including a famous Scottish Premiership hat-trick against bitter rivals Rangers. He helped the Hoops secure the domestic treble and his brilliant form won him a call-up to the France under-21 squad.[spacer height=”20px”]
In January, he was linked with a £30m move to Chelsea and this summer Arsenal, AC Milan and Marseille all reportedly had an interest in the player.[spacer height=”20px”]
So one might find it funny to learn that a growing number within Celtic’s fanbase believe that England international Leigh Griffiths deserves to be leading the line for the Scottish champions ahead of the young Frenchman this season.[spacer height=”20px”]
The Scottish man run amok last night as the Glasgow giants thumped FC Astana in their Champions League play-off first leg encounter.[spacer height=”20px”]
He will claim the fifth goal as it was his shot that deflected off of Igor Shitov and sailed into the net. Griffiths led the line with almost perfection and had a big hand in creating goals for Scott Sinclair and James Forrest.[spacer height=”20px”]
In the past twelve months, Leigh has improved various facets of his games.[spacer height=”20px”]
Previously many questioned if he could play-up-top alone or succeed in the bigger games. Now Leigh Griffiths is muscling much bigger defenders out of the way, running tirelessly into the channels or behind the defence and he is still scoring goals. His hold up play has gone from near nonexistent to great within such a short period of time.[spacer height=”20px”]
Griffiths is clearly a player who has always had a much confidence in his own ability. His two free-kicks for Scotland against the Auld Enemy England in June showed the world that he will always back himself in strong situations.[spacer height=”20px”]
Last season, Brendan Rodgers came in and made Dembele his number one attacker, the new manager also preferred playing with just one striker. However, instead of moaning and going in a huff, Griffiths kept his head down and when he got his chance he embrace it.[spacer height=”20px”]
In the second half of the season’s invincible year, Dembele’s form reduced and his performances was bit sluggish. The club’s number nine came in and gave the attack a new lease of life. Dembele would end the season with eighteen goals in thirty-give appearances.[spacer height=”20px”]
So far in this new campaign, he has netted four in five games, not bad for someone just recovering from a calf injury.[spacer height=”20px”]
The Hoops captain Scott Brown was full of praise for the hitman after his Astana showing:
“It isn’t just about Leigh’s goal, it is about his hold-up play and what he does for the team,”[spacer height=”20px”]
“A couple of years ago, Leigh would have been taken shots whenever he had the ball up there but you see his link-up play now, it is of the highest level.”[spacer height=”20px”]
Leigh Griffiths’ performances in the last eight months have been a joy to watch. The Scottish has clearly developed into a fine striker. I like the fact that he’s clearly worked on his weaknesses and now it’s very tough to point any out.[spacer height=”20px”]
One thing that he will have to constantly keep in check is certain lifestyle, fitness and disciplinary issues. The Hoops manager warned the player in January that he had to shape up. You then had the UEFA charge after the Linfield game earlier in the summer. I believe Griffiths is learning his lessons and will hopefully stay away from anymore trouble this season but you just never know with this particular player.[spacer height=”20px”]
So can Leigh keep his place or will Dembele come straight back into the team when he regains full fitness?[spacer height=”20px”]
Personally I think at the moment it’s Griffiths position to lose. If he continues to play like he did last night then I can’t see Brendan dumping the Scottish forward. It would rock the player’s confidence and wouldn’t be great for team morale.[spacer height=”20px”]
Competition should breed better performances. Knowing that Dembele is waiting for his place should spur Griffiths on even more. If he messes up or suffers in form then I have no doubts that Moussa will come in and replace him.[spacer height=”20px”]
Personally I’d like to see the two forwards together on the pitch more often. They seem to enjoy a good understanding and link up well together whenever they’ve played alongside one another. Neither of them is overly selfish and they understand when the other is in a better position. But alas the Celtic manager seems intent to sticking with his one up-top philosophy.[spacer height=”20px”]
It’s great to see a Scottish striker improving and understanding his role more. At twenty-six years of age Leigh Griffths can still develop further and hopefully he’ll do that this season![spacer height=”20px”]
