Leigh Griffiths ‘turned life around’, says Jackett

WOLVES manager Kenny Jackett claims top scorer Leigh Griffiths has turned his life around after confessing this week that he had considered committing suicide during his loan spell at Hibernian.

Leigh Griffiths: Settled down. Picture: SNS

Griffiths, who was yesterday named in the Scotland squad to face Croatia later this month, admitted that he had been traumatised by internet abuse of his children.

Jackett believes that moving away from his Leith birthplace has done the Scotland star the world of good.

“He has filtered or protected his Twitter account now but he did get criticism or abuse – or his children did,” said Jackett.

“It did upset him, as it would anybody because they’re only babies.

“So he was very upset and I think that was an understandable reaction from him. Since then he’s blocked certain people so he can’t necessarily pick that sort of stuff up.

“Maybe because he was new to it all, breaking into the spotlight in an environment where, up in Scotland, it’s a goldfish bowl.

‘‘The focus and the attention on the clubs up there are considerable and it did upset him.”

Jackett revealed that club officials at Molineux have helped the 23-year-old to get over his personal problems.

“He’s settled down, he’s happy, he’s focused on his football and he has come through a lot,’’ he added.

‘‘The likes of [head of football development] Kevin Thelwell have helped him a lot and helped him put it into perspective. It’s settled down for him off the field and it’s crucial because he doesn’t need to have his mind on things that aren’t important.

“He’s settled his life down at the club and Kevin, in particular, should take a lot of the credit for Leigh Griffiths because through the summer, and so far this season, he’s helped him and I’m sure Leigh appreciates it.

‘‘Leigh has come through that period of his life and settled down to be able to be settled into a rhythm and a routine and concentrate on his job.”