SCOTT BROWN has challenged Leigh Griffiths to get himself fit ahead of the new season. Griffiths was omitted from the squad that is currently in France due to play OGC Nice today in the first pre-season friendly match, the club’s first fixture since March 7 when Griffiths scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 win.

As reported by the Scottish Sun, Brown paid tribute to the talents of Griffiths but that he is no use to the club if he isn’t fit. Griffiths turned up for pre-season out of shape, sparking Neil Lennon to order the 28-year-old to remain at Lennoxtown for fitness and conditioning while the rest of the squad prepared for the season kickoff.

“Everyone that’s here has worked extremely hard on their fitness and Leigh needs to make sure he does that as well.

“We all know how good he is and how good a left foot he has. It’s up to him to get up to speed as quickly as he can. You saw him last season. He came back and we changed to 3-5-2.

“I think it really helped Leigh playing alongside Odsonne Edouard as well.

“Odsonne is in prime position right now, but you never know what could happen down the line, and if we play that style again.

“We always need our full squad as fit as possible, that’s what pre-season is for.”

Griffiths was instrumental in winning the 9th title in a row but has been dealt a blow from Neil Lennon, who decided to leave him behind while the rest of the squad face glamour ties versus PSG, Nice and Lyon. The 28-year-old will no doubt bounce back but it is a bitter blow that he is not fit and ready for the start of the campaign.

With 115 goals in 231 appearances for Celtic, Griffiths can still be a huge part of potentially record-breaking season. He needs to get himself fit and prove that he is worthy of a place in the side with Klimala and Bayo pushing for his place.