Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths says ‘Dubai was the break I needed’

Hard work and dedication during training in Middle-East gave the striker a new lease of life

Leigh Griffiths parades the Premiership trophy at his home. Picture: SNS.

Dubai is often described as a modern crossroads between east and west so it seems apt that this is where Leigh Griffiths reached the latest turning point in his career.

The Celtic striker had already hurdled an enormous obstacle after returning from a long lay-off having suffered mental health problems. He scored his first goal since this period of leave to spark emotional scenes in a European tie against Estonia side Nomme Kalju near the start of last season.

Another two goals followed shortly afterwards against St Johnstone and Motherwell before the striker was sidelined once more, this time a by a virus and a thigh injury. This spell out of the side last autumn prompted speculation to swirl once more about his Celtic future.

The winter break was not only a pivotal period of reassessment for Celtic, with Rangers having just given the champions a bloody nose at Parkhead in a 2-1 win that meant they were now only two points behind their rivals with a game in hand. It was also make-or-break for Griffiths, who was struggling to force his way back into the team.

Neil Lennon rewarded his hard work in the Middle East by giving him a start against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup in the first match on their return. Griffiths struck a tap-in to help get himself back up and running in his side’s 2-1 win at Firhill. A goal in the 3-1 midweek win at Kilmarnock followed as Celtic’s league campaign resumed in commanding fashion. There was then barely any let-up in Lennon’s side’s momentum up to the moment the league season was halted due to Covid-19, with the champions having stretched their lead
at the top to 13 points. Griffiths, meanwhile, contributed another six goals.

Hence why chez Griffiths was one of the first on the Premiership trophy’s tour of Celtic players’ houses last week when the Parkhead side were belatedly confirmed as champions following the curtailing of the season after 30 games.

“It just felt weird. It didn’t feel like we’d won it yet as we weren’t parading it in front of the fans at Celtic Park,” said Griffiths in an interview with BT Sport this 
weekend.

Never mind posing with the league winning trophy, the striker feared he might not even be at the club much longer prior to the departure for Dubai in January. His Celtic career was once again back in doubt.

“The first couple of months when I came back were great,” he said. “It was good being back involved with the boys but then I got injured and you struggle to get your fitness back.There were a lot of rumours about stuff, that you might be moved on. January was the crossroads for me.

“If I hadn’t gone away and worked hard in Dubai, and showed the manager I wanted to be here and force my way into the side, it could have been a whole different story. It just goes to show how good my mental strength is – to go to Dubai, work hard and get fitter by the day. When I got my chance, I was ready to be called upon and I put in the performances that kept my place in the team.”

Griffiths came off the bench for the last nine minutes of the defeat by Rangers two days before New Year. Celtic’s determination to make up for that loss helped define their time away in Dubai. It seemed probable that Steven Gerrard’s side would build on the win that brought them firmly back into contention in the title race. This didn’t happen of course – indeed, Rangers lost their second league game to Hearts after returning from the winter break, which they had also spent in Dubai.

“Going away we had a few days to reflect on the defeat,” said Griffiths. “Then we had a team meeting before the first training session in Dubai.

“It was said that, ‘We might need to go unbeaten from now until the end of the season to make sure we are champions’. After that it was about topping up the fitness as much as we could, and also enjoying ourselves as well.

“You need to remember that we’d played 40-odd games by the turn of the year,” he added.

“Boys were running on empty a bit, so we had to relax in Dubai, but also put the work in.When we came back it was like we had a new lease of life. We just blitzed teams along the way.”

Griffiths was simply grateful to have the chance to join Celtic from Wolves in 2014 and had few notions of being a member of a squad on the brink of a record ten successive titles. “I was surprised to get my move in the first place,” he said. “But to be here six years later on nine and on the cusp of ten is something you can only dream of. When I first arrived, the fans were singing for ten and you don’t really believe it. Now we do believe.

“I think it will be very difficult for teams to stop us (reaching ten),” he added. “But you know, let’s see them have a go – Aberdeen, Hibs, Motherwell and Rangers especially will all be trying to stop us.

“It’s all about us. If we bring our A-game to 90…95 per cent of the games it’s going to be very difficult for teams.”

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