Spies on alert as Leigh sparks Lions' season

Published on Tuesday 26 August 2008 10:34

LIVINGSTON striker Leigh Griffiths has become the terror of opposition defences after an electric start to the season, but coach Roberto Landi would like to see him in the stands, for a short while at least.

Landi today revealed the little Edinburgh-born striker, known as Sparky, is attracting admiring glances from scouts, not only in this country, but from England and the continent.

Griffiths has already scored six goals this season but Landi wants to reduce his playing time, not increase it, ahead of tonight's home CIS Cup clash against St Johnstone.

The Italian coach, who is still scouring the transfer market for a striker, said: "First of all we are lucky he is our player, and secondly we are lucky he is young and scoring goals.

"He has already played something like 14 games this season if you count friendlies and closed-door games and that is a lot for someone his age, too much.

"Leigh is being watched by scouts from England and even some of my contacts in Europe have spoken to me about him.

"I would like to rest him because I know players at that age use up a lot of nervous energy because the fans want so much, they want a big performance every game, but I cannot rest him until I have a new striker.

"We are hopeful of getting someone in soon, but we could sign a non-contract player after the deadline.

"I need to know he is the right player for Livingston."

Landi is happy with his other stirker, Frenchman Jean Cuenca, but is looking for a target man.

"We could do with more height up front," he said.