Leigh Griffiths has made his long-awaited return to football.

The former Celtic striker has headed back Down Under to sign for Mandurah City for the remainder of their 2023 season.

The Australian semi-professional side plays in the WA State League Division 1. 

The ex-Scotland international played twice for the team at the end of their 2022 season.

He has not played for a professional club since leaving a spell in League One with Falkirk last season.

He had been training with Livingston and then Waterford in Ireland.

However, Griffiths will now make his way across the world for his next opportunity in football.

Head Coach John Baird said: “I am very pleased for everyone involved with the club. To bring Leigh back is a credit and a display of the hard work everyone behind the scenes is putting in.

"Leigh wanted to come back after understanding our goals for the 2023 season. Leigh’s ability on the pitch is undoubtable.

"His experience speaks for itself and his signing is an opportunity for him to get back to enjoying his football in a positive and competitive environment.

"I have had Australian internationals contacting me asking to come down and train because they want to see Leigh play.”

READ MORE: He doesn't talk to us much at all: Matt O'Riley on Celtic centurion Ange Postecoglou

Meanwhile, as he reflected on Celtic’s victory over Rangers in the Viaplay Cup final at Hampden last month, Ange Postecoglou confessed that he felt a responsibility to deliver the same success as his revered predecessors did.

Is Postecoglou emulating those who have occupied the Parkhead hotseat before him by adopting an identical approach to the high-profile role as Martin O’Neill?

O’Neill, who won the Scottish title three times and reached a European final during the five years that he spent in Glasgow, was renowned for leaving the day-to-day coaching duties to his backroom staff and not being a constant presence around his squad.

Glasgow Times:

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