Pat Fenlon admits to Leigh Griffiths ‘headaches’

The 22-year-old has proved a controversial figure since joining Hibs on loan at the start of last season, with a string of allegations made against the player in his private life.

At the same time, however, the Wolves forward has proved indispensable to the Easter Road outfit, with his 11 goals for his boyhood heroes last term being surpassed in this campaign.

Sunday’s stunning strike in the 2-2 draw with Dundee United took the former Livingston and Dundee youngster’s tally for the season to 18 and his overall display was of a standard that could have caught the attention of Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.

Fenlon is full of praise for the way Griffiths continues to strive for improvement on and off the pitch. He said: “He causes everybody headaches, Leigh. But I think you’ve got to get the balance right with him because he’s got to play on the edge, to keep him right. But, like I’ve said before, he’s a joy to work with.

“He’s working hard off the pitch and he’s got to get that right for his own sake and for his own future. But, as a footballer, he’s a tremendous talent.”

Griffiths was forced off in the 69th minute at Tannadice with a leg injury. With a key double-header in the league and Scottish Cup against Kilmarnock at home tomorrow and away on Sunday, Hibs could ill afford to be without their top scorer in a potentially-pivotal week for the club. However, Fenlon is optimistic the Scotland cap will be able to shake off the problem  to take his place in the team tomorrow night.