LEIGH Griffiths is a doubt for Scotland’s opening World Cup qualifier away to Malta after revealing he has been struggling with a hamstring injury. The forward, who scored his seventh goal of the season yesterday in Celtic’s 4-1 home win over Aberdeen, still hopes to play a part for Gordon Strachan’s side next Sunday but only if passed fit by the Scotland medical staff. His absence would be a major blow for Strachan given Griffiths’ strong start to the campaign but the player hopes he will make it as he “doesn’t want to let anybody down”.
“I’ve been struggling with my hamstring tendon since before we played Hapoel [Be’er-Sheva] at home [two weeks ago],” he said. “But I’ve battled through it. I will go away with Scotland, see the physios there and what they are thinking. I always want to play for my country, I don’t want to let anybody down. Hopefully I can pull through and get a chance. I managed to play 60 minutes today. In midweek I managed 55 minutes.
“The manager [Brendan Rodgers] is happy that I’m playing without it really hurting but now I will go and see the Scotland physios. Hopefully I can battle through. If he [Strachan] sees I’m ready to go I’ll be delighted. If not I’ll sit on the bench, bite my tongue and if I’m called upon I will give my best like I always do.”
Rodgers, meanwhile, believes Craig Gordon will benefit from being left out of yesterday’s game after the goalkeeper was dropped in favour of Dorus de Vries.
“Dorus knows inside out how I want to work and I’m sure Craig will get another opportunity again,” he said. “Whether it comes in the next game, or after, he will be better for this week. It has been unfair for him at times. I’ve got good goalkeepers now at the club, and one particularly [de Vries] who understands how I work.
“I just do what I do in every game and put out what I think is the best team. My ‘keeper is no different to any outfield players.”
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