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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Former Celtic & Hibs ace Leigh Griffiths 'set for' first job in coaching

Leigh Griffiths is reportedly set to be offered his first job in coaching.

The former Celtic, Hibernian and Dundee striker is in Australia having played for lower-league side Mandurah City.

The one-time Scotland international scored 11 goals in ten matches as the Western Australian side narrowly missed out on promotion.

John Baird is the head coach at the club and it was he who convinced Griffiths to join on an initial short-term deal over a year ago.

Griffiths is set to extend his stay with Mandurah, but this time as a player-coach. And Baird wants more Scots to join them at the club after the arrival of ex-Forfar and Brechin player Murray Macintosh last season.

Baird told the Scottish Sun: "We want to recruit new players for our pre-season in January.

"We lost the league on the last day of last season and it was a shocker for us after a good campaign.

"The Scots boys have been great and we'd love to attract more to come over and play here. Leigh scored 11 in ten games. He's staying to play again next season and he could join the staff as a player-coach.

"He has two of his kids over here now, too, and that's been huge for him. He's made a real impact."

He added: "Jason Cummings came over here, won the league, earned international caps and got a big move to India.

"Jason's brother, Dean, also plays over here with Sorrento and the likes of Steven McGarry and Ian Ferguson are still coaching here.

"Our facilities at Mandurah are the best I've ever had. We have five full-size grass pitches.

"I'd compare the level to League One in Scotland. It's competitive and the fans are really into it.

"Since Leigh arrived, the local Celtic Supporters' Club has come out to watch our games. And our closest rivals, Rockingham, now get support from the local Rangers Supporters' Club.

"It's much more chilled out than at home, though. We even had one of our players, Andy Murray, wear a Rangers top to training to wind up Leigh."

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