Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has revealed his representatives are in talks with the club over a new deal. The 27-year-old has struggled for form and playing time this season but is keen to commit his future at Parkhead and says he wants to emulate teammate Scott Brown who is having a testimonial in May.
Griffiths has scored and created 10 goals in 21 appearances in the Scottish Premiership but has spent an extended period on the sidelines due to a calf injury. The Scottish international has also only made 10 league starts this season, six of which he’s been substituted in, so it’s not been the best campaign.
Signed from Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2014 and has gone on to score 97 goals in 178 games in all competitions, winning four league titles, three Scottish League Cups and one Scottish Cup. He has three more years left on his contract so there’s no speculation about his short-term future.
Instead, Griffiths wants to be a mainstay at Parkhead, spending the rest of his playing career with the Hoops to earn a testimonial like Brown has due to his longevity.
He said, in quotes reported by the Evening Times:
“My representatives are working behind the scenes to try and get me a new deal. Why would you want to go anywhere else? You are playing at a top club with a top manager in front of 50,000 or 60,000 every week.
“There’s no reason to go anywhere. You have Champions League football every season. It’s hard to get there now, but when you do get there, those are memorable nights.
“It is early stages just now, but hopefully we can get it done sooner rather than later. Hopefully, it we can come to an agreement, I’ll not be far off Broony (Scott Brown). I think he has deserved his testimonial. The type of guy he is, he is deserving of everything he gets.”