Leigh Griffiths: ‘I never wanted to leave Celtic’

Leigh Griffiths celebrates after scoring against Motherwell. Picture: SNS

The 24-year-old scored against Dundee in August, but didn’t feature again for Ronny Deila’s men until the start of October, when he came on as a substitute against Dinamo Zagreb.

Griffiths was subsequently linked with a return to boyhood heroes Hibernian, where he’d had two loan spells prior to signing for Celtic.

But the former Dundee and Wolves striker told STV Sport: “It was never in my mind to leave. I had a chat with [Ronny Deila] and told him I didn’t want to go anywhere.

“I know there was speculation in the papers but this is the club for me and I don’t want to go anywhere else. I love playing here, I love everything about the place.

“The good thing is that the manager also made it clear that he wants me to be here.”

Griffiths, who secured cult status during his Hibernian loan spells thanks to his goalscoring prowess, has been competing with the likes of John Guidetti, Stefan Scepovic and Anthony Stokes for a place in Celtic’s starting XI.

But in recent weeks, Guidetti and Scepovic have started on the bench, opening the door for Griffiths to stake a claim for a regular starting berth.

And his goal against Motherwell in Celtic’s 4-0 win last night won’t have done his chances any harm.

He added: “The attacking options we’ve got here is great so the manager has a selection dilemma.

“He knows that whoever he plays up front will be doing well so I’m glad I’ve got the jersey now and hopefully I’m doing enough to keep it.”

Griffiths has scored 12 goals in 35 appearances for the Hoops.

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