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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Matthew Fulton

Leigh Griffiths admits 'glorious' Celtic years came with being 'pestered' as he relishes Mandurah peace

Leigh Griffiths admits his glory years at Celtic will never be forgotten but that he doesn't miss all the drama off the park.

The former Scotland forward's career has taken a detour in recent years after a long spell with the Hoops came to an end in the early days of Ange Postecoglou's reign in Glasgow. Griffiths had been a top scorer for Celtic in seasons prior with 123 goals in 261 appearances in total, while his goal records at Dundee and Hibs were just as impressive with 36 goals in 79 for the Dark Blues and 38 in 78 in the capital.

But the 32-year-old admitted himself he thought his career was over after playing one season down under with Mandurah City but now ex-Scotland international John Baird has offered the forward a lifeline with another deal signed in the land of Oz. Griffiths believes it is time for him to focus on the football and that being a star in Scotland came with some nasty side effects.

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He told Mandurah Mail: "I'm not going to be pestered all the time, I'm not going to be having people shout stuff to me in the street - it might happen now and again with some Scots here - but nine times out of 10 I can go to dinner, I can go do stuff and just be a number and not a face anymore. For me that's the most important thing.

"I loved my time at Celtic, I had eight glorious years there, it was brilliant, but when you play for one half of the city in Edinburgh (Hibernian) and one half of the city in Glasgow (Celtic) you're going to have opposition fans that won't like you.

"That's part and parcel (of playing for those clubs) and I've had that for the best part of 12 years now. It's something I got used to, but when you're trying to take your kids out for dinner or walk around the shops and people are videoing you and stuff like that, it's not enjoyable anymore.

"I can walk around the shops here and I'm just a number, I'm not a 'face'. I'm going to let my football do the talking."

READ NEXT:

- Leigh Griffiths rejoins Mandurah City as ex-Celtic star brings an end to long period without a club

- Ange Postecoglou in Celtic 'make allowances' admission as boss lauds 'really good' Hearts approach

- Ange Postecoglou 'here's to 100 more' banner as Celtic boss' landmark hailed with Christmas quip

- Robbie Neilson in Celtic red card 'decapitation' blast as Hearts boss hammers VAR 'shambles'

- Celtic player ratings vs Hearts as Kyogo's crucial goal hands Ange Postecoglou win in landmark game

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