David Martindale hopes Celtic hero Leigh Griffiths doesn't call time on his career as his free agency stint continues.
The forward has endured a tough season after an equally difficult term last year after signing a Parkhead contract extension in summer 2021. He was quickly moved on to Dundee but a mixed impact there saw him drop to League One with Falkirk, where he also struggled to pick up the goalscoring form that saw him net over 100 times for Celtic.
A short stay at Australian lower league side Mandurah City failed to bring any professional offers and he is now training at former club Livingston while waiting for a new club. Griffiths admitted last week he could call it a day if teams don't pick up the phone but while no deal is on offer in West Lothian, Livi boss Martindale has been impressed by the former Scotland star.
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He said: “I’d be disappointed if it’s the case that his future is away from football. Leigh’s on a bit of a downer at the moment and we’re trying to get his spirits up.
“His phone’s not been ringing as much as he maybe thought it might have been. I can only speak from my experience with him and around the place he’s been brilliant. He’s great with the guys and the staff. He’s been a positive influence around the club.
“He’s been working really hard at his fitness, his weight’s down, his body fats are down. Anything I ask him to do on the park, he’ll go and do it. There’s never a mump or moan. His technical ability has blown me away.
“He can take a bad touch and still ping the ball in the top bin and you wonder how he’s done it. I’d hope he can stay in Scotland and find a club soon. I don’t have the budget for a Leigh Griffiths. But I think he’d do a very good job for someone in Scotland."
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