Sorry Ronin but I don't agree with most of what you have said. In the real world Dembele IS a better all round player but is nowhere near the natural finisher we know Griffiths to be.
Tell me how YOU would get fit if you could not get a game consistently. Constantly being passed over for the cash cow that Dembele was always going to be. Even at that time Rodgers only wanted one striker so Griff was always going to warm the bench unless Dembele got injured. You allude to Griffiths' fitness levels. Surely Dembele looked less fit than Hartson during his last 18 months with us. Stronger but definitely not fitter than Griffiths despite the lack of game time.
If it is all about 'the team' you have to pay service to the fact that Griffiths carried the team the year before yet you suggest that within six months he is no longer a 'team player', All assumption because he was not playing due to one striker rule. Check out the stats for minutes played and goals scored during Brendans tenure.
You point about Griffiths not living like KT again is cherry picking. Think about photos of Broonie drunk sitting on the side of the road eating fish and chips if I remember correctly after midnight. Lots more too.... GMS falling over a bridge after a drunken night out.
Whilst I too agree with your opinion I prefer try to be factual. By the way your reference to calf problems remind me of James Forrest who was for years plagued with unfixable hamsting problems. Anyway I apologise for my rant. It is just obvious to me that Brendan wants to make Griff into something he is not but you will never convince me that given game time and support from BR he would not again be a 25 goals a season player in this team.
I really don’t get this - how is Griffiths supposed to get fit when he isn’t getting a run in the team.
I’m not even talking about match fitness, just the basic fitness an athlete should have.
He said the had to lose 8lbs - a lot of managers wouldn’t even have allowed him near the squad.
We all know about Hartson - the game has moved on though - you don’t get 2 months summer break anymore, we’ve got sports science, better diets, etc etc.
I do agree that Dembele also looked a bit heavy sometimes/could be lazy, - Griffiths has been like this his whole career. Look at old pictures of him.
I want Celtic to be the best they can be, and I’ll criticise any player if it’s merited.
It’s not just about how many goals has he scored, I’m looking at goals v European teams, goals v the other mob. His overall game. His penalty record is awful as well, but he always demands the ball.
It’s the whole package for me with Griffiths - I’ve heard enough, from various different people, at various different times to know that he doesn’t put everything he has into being a Celtic player.
If it was a one-off, or a even a spell in his career, fine, but it’s like a soap opera with him - constant drama.
The reason I referenced Kieran Tierney was because he appreciates everything he has, he doesn’t take it for granted. He’s going to have a brilliant career because he doesn’t take shortcuts. Not just that, but it’s the respect he shows everyone connected to the club.