Pundit James McFadden reckons Leigh Griffiths is standing up to be counted now he no longer has a "safety net" at Celtic.
The former Scotland striker rejoined Dundee in the summer after failing to win over Ange Postecoglou at Parkhead.
He has been in and out of the team with issues on and off the pitch threatening to derail his second spell as a Dundee player. Recently, however, he has been a regular under James McPake and started his third game in four in the 0-0 draw with St Johnstone on Wednesday.
McPake has raved about Griffiths' work-rate and commitment over the last few weeks and admitted the club are interested in bringing him in permanently once his Celtic contract expires.
That comes after Parkhead boss Postecoglou confirmed he would be released at the end of his current deal.
But while that may have been a blow for Griffiths, pundit McFadden reckons that "safety net" being taken away could have lit a fire under the 31-year-old.
And speaking to Sky Sports, he says a firing Griffiths is just what the Dens Park side need in their bid to stay in the Premiership.
"The biggest thing for Leigh Griffiths now is he doesn't have the safety net of a long contract at Celtic," he said.
"James McPake says he wants what's best for Griffiths, he's going to try to get the best out of him. But it doesn't matter who's trying to get the best out of him - it's down to him, whether he gets the best out of himself.
"It's good that the manager has put confidence in him but it's all down to him. He's got an opportunity to get back fit and show that he can still score goals.
"It's great that he's getting that support but he's always had it. He's had it at Celtic for the last four or five years, all throughout his struggles.
"But now it's down to Griffiths and hopefully the penny drops for him.
"He does have a point to prove. He's in his 30s, and he has to go and show that he's still the player everyone thinks he is.
"He's got a great opportunity to go and play for Dundee and it would be a huge achievement for him to fire the goals in and keep them in the league."
