Maturing Leigh Griffiths reaps the rewards

By STUART BATHGATE
Published on 14/09/2012 00:00

PAT Fenlon has hailed Leigh Griffiths’ Clydesdale Bank Player of the Month Award as deserved recognition for a fine start to the season. The Hibernian manager had disciplinary problems with the on-loan striker last season, but believes that Griffiths, 22, is now more level-headed.

“I’m chuffed for him,” Fenlon said yesterday. “He’s had a great start to the season. He’s in the Scotland under-21 squad and he’s won player of the month. He has to keep his head down and keep progressing, because there are still bigger rewards out there. His form has been exceptional.

“Like a lot of younger players, you tend to look back when you are 23 or 24 and think, ‘What the hell was I doing at 19, 20?’ But a lot of players are like that and I believe Leigh is starting to mature a little bit.

“He still drives me mad at times, if I’m honest, but you need that infectious edge about him. If you take that out of his game then you lose too much.”

Fenlon’s only concern now is that if Griffiths keeps playing well, Wolves may decide they want to end his loan spell sooner rather than later. “You’re always worried that things may not be going well down at Wolves and they see him banging in the goals and decide to give him a go in the Championship,” the manager added. “It would be difficult to replace him, but it would also mean we’ve done our job well, got something out of him to the extent Wolves would want him back in their team.”