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COMEBACK TRAIL

Leigh Griffiths training with Livingston as ex-Celtic striker bids to find new team

LEIGH GRIFFITHS is training with Livingston — but Davie Martindale says he WON’T be rejoining the club.

The former Celtic and Scotland striker has been back at the Lions, where he spent three seasons before moving to Dundee in 2009.

Leigh Griffiths in action for Falkirk
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Leigh Griffiths in action for FalkirkCredit: SNS

Griffiths has been training in a bid to get his fitness up as he looks to find a new club.

Livi boss Martindale opened his doors to the 31-year-old, although he insists there’s no plans to offer him a deal.

He said: “Leigh was just scunnered with football and I had a chat with him after we played Dundee.

“I told him if there was anything I could do to help him he could give me a shout.

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“If I can help anyone, not just Leigh, I will go out of my way to do that.

“I know he has had some trouble off the park, but everyone in football I have spoken to about Leigh said how good a guy he is.

“He’s worked so hard, he’s lost weight and body fat, and he’s been brilliant around the place.

“Leigh’s training well and is looking for a club, and we want to help him do that.

“I was open and honest with him and I told him there’s not a contract here.

“With Jack Hamilton going to Hartlepool on loan, I’m looking for a versatile player who can play along the front three.

“Leigh has options, but we were happy to help him use the club as he needs.

“I want him to get back to where he should be, as we all know how good a player he is, and he has to find that player again.

“Everyone has adversity at some point, and it is how you deal with it. Some people go under and some fight and rise above it.

“Leigh’s a great player, and what I have seen is that desire to go and do better.

“It would have been easy for him to down tools this summer, and come in here in bad shape, but that’s not the case.

“He has done a lot of hard work, and I’m here to help him with the final bit and get him a club.”

The Lions need a win over Kelty Hearts this weekend as they look to reach the knockout stages of the Premier Sports Cup.

Martindale has respect for new Kelty boss John Potter and warned his players to be wary of a shock. He added: “I’m expecting a tough game. Pottsy is finding his feet, and Kelty are finding theirs with him.

“But when the lower league clubs come to a Premiership club, they always up their game. It’s up to us to step up our game to match them.

“We’re needing a couple of results elsewhere to help us.

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“We’ve still got to pick up the three points on Saturday, so I’m not really looking into the permutations too much.

“I think we have to win the game and see what happens."


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