IT may be fair to say that the revolution Celtic fans hoped for with the arrival of Ange Postecoglou hasn’t quite got off the ground just yet, despite the arrival of his first signing Osaze Urhoghide from Sheffield Wednesday yesterday.


In fact, it was the news earlier on that Leigh Griffiths had joined Tony Ralston in getting a 12-month contract extension, and Postecoglou’s seeming willingness to retain the local knowledge provided by coaches John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan, that has so far given the impression of meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

It is far too early to be panicking in that regard, with more new bodies sure to arrive, but both Postecoglou and new chief executive could do with a statement signing or two to ease the minds of worried supporters.

As for the matter at hand, on the face of it, it would appear a relatively sensible decision to retain the services of an experienced striker, perhaps the most natural finisher in the country, especially as Odsonne Edouard looks likely to be sold on. There are significant caveats though.

The fact that news of the extension was met by consternation from many Celtic supporters when it was announced yesterday is a sign of how far Griffiths’ star has fallen. Perhaps that is why he cryptically unfollowed all of Celtic’s social media accounts on Wednesday, so he wouldn’t have to read it.

Griffiths has just turned 31, and due to a combination of personal problems outwith his control and a lack of professionalism entirely within his command, has not been able to nail down a place as a regular starter across a whole season since he smashed 40 goals in season 2015/16.

There have been sporadic outburst of form, most recently when paired with Edouard under Neil Lennon, particularly in the period from the turn of the year two seasons ago when the pair dovetailed brilliantly to spearhead Celtic’s charge towards a ninth title in a row.

But relations between Griffiths and Lennon deteriorated, to the point where the pair have held a public war of words over the striker’s commitment and conditioning through the media over the past two weeks.

The point of Lennon’s disgruntlement came when Griffiths reported back for duty after the first Covid-19 lockdown last year wildly out of shape. When he was left behind to work on his fitness at Lennoxtown as the rest of the squad headed to France for a pre-season tournament, it was widely thought then that the forward had finally reached last orders in the last-chance saloon.

And yet, Lennon came around, believing that he could get Griffiths ship-shape and firing once more. It was about this time that cats started referring to those who had a near-death experience as having ‘more lives than Griffiths’.

Griffiths argues that he did in fact reapply himself, and was fit enough to be starting games. He remained a peripheral figure though, starting rarely and coming off the bench at other times to mixed effect.

There were flashes of his finishing prowess here and there, but as question marks over his fitness remained, he couldn’t get the regular game-time required to stake a claim for Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, missing out even on the expanded 26-man roster.

Griffiths refused to accept that he had reached the end of the road though with either club or country, reiterating his belief that he can still score goals at the highest level. That has rarely been in doubt, but it is hugely questionable whether he has the defensive capabilities or the level of work-rate required to press high up the pitch in the manner which Postecoglou orders his teams to.

Whatever he has said to his new manager, Postecoglou has been convinced enough of his good intentions to offer him the opportunity to sink or swim under his new regime. His message though has very much been that he will no longer be afforded special treatment, and that his future is now entirely in his own hands.

He has no other choice but to spell that out clearly and publicly, with many fans taking his decision to retain Griffiths as a signal to the rest of the squad that a lack of professionalism will not only be tolerated, but rewarded.

“I am really pleased to keep Leigh with us for another season at least,” Postecoglou said yesterday. “I have had very positive conversations with Leigh and he clearly understands my expectations and more importantly the club’s.”

It is perhaps his words from last week’s press conference that Griffiths should heed most closely though. When asked if players would thrive under the punishing ‘world-class sporting environment’ he would be creating at Celtic, Postecoglou replied: “Not all. My experience tells me that in the environment I create some thrive for sure. But others will really struggle. And you don’t have a choice in who they are going to be. That’s how I measure staff and players. 

“I know people are keen to know what changes we are going to make. But I come from the perspective that we would rather make the decisions ourselves after we change the environment.

“There are decisions I have to take responsibility for so I will make them. I think some of the players will definitely thrive in the environment. 

“That will make decisions easy.”

One of his first decisions has been to hand Griffiths the chance to prove whether his doubters are right or wrong once and for all. It’s up to him now.