Leigh Griffiths has responded to Gordon Strachan’s suggestion that his need to balance physicality with skill is the reason why he has been left out of his line-up by changing his Twitter name to Shorty.
The 40-goal Celtic striker hit back in light-hearted fashion after his national team manager explained the growing set-piece threat posed at international level meant the likes of Chris Martin and Steven Fletcher could be more useful against rival nations.
There's what Leigh Griffiths thinks about Strachan's comments... pic.twitter.com/agT6ffvBAk
— Paul 🐠er (@Steakheed) October 17, 2016
The Tartan Army clamour to see Griffiths included in the Scots starting XI has only increased in the wake of their disappointing start to the World Cup qualifiers.
Strachan has gone with Fulham’s Martin and Sheffield Wednesday striker Fletcher up top in the Scots’ three World Cup qualifiers so far.
Griffiths – who measures up at 5ft 8ins – has been limited to two substitute appearances this time round following on from the grand total of 15 minutes he was given by Strachan during the whole of the Scots’ failed Euro 2016 bid.
The Parkhead player started this season in impressive fashion with eight goals in his first 10 outings before injury halted his run.
But even though he has returned to fitness, Strachan has not been persuaded to give him a start during the Scots’ recent clashes with Lithuania and Slovakia.
Strachan’s side took just one point from the double header, leaving their hopes of reaching Russia in two years’ time hanging by a thread.
The national team boss, speaking to several Sunday newspapers, replied when he was asked whether Griffiths would have to accept he would only be used as a substitute: “No, I wouldn’t say that.
“In the 51 games in the Euro Championships the first 19 goals were scored from set plays. That means you have to have a certain amount of height to defend corner kicks.
“I’ll give you an example. The team was a lot smaller at 2-0 than it was at 0-0 [in Slovakia] and the first corner kick we get after that, they score with a header. Does that help you with the certain amount of height that you have to have in my team? There’s absolutely no doubt about it.
“People can argue that toss and debate it. But that is fact. You need to have a certain amount of height in international football teams to defend set plays.
“It’s not just Leigh Griffiths. You’ve got to try and get the balance. I could pick a huge team but there would be a problem passing the ball.
“I could pick the smallest team and they could pass the ball better. But what we’ve struggled with is physical combat in the middle of the park and set plays.
“I’ve got to try and get a balance between height and strength and ability. If you’ve got the whole package then that’s a real bonus. Unfortunately we didn’t have too many with the whole package.”
