Griffiths putting transfer talk on the back burner

Jun 4 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

LEIGH Griffiths admits chasing a European Championships spot with Scotland's under 19 squad has kept his mind off where he will be plying his trade after the summer.

Sparky is Scotland’s hottest property with Dundee, Hibs, Kilmarnock and Swansea just a few of the clubs ready to offer six figure sums to prise the teenager away from Almondvale.

And with Livingston’s cash problems well documented he may have already played his last game in a Lions shirt.

However, he is adamant he is leaving any transfer talks or dealings to his agent — former Celtic and Scotland striker Darren Jackson.

While most of Scotland’s footballers have been jetting off to sun themselves on beaches around the world, Sparky has been starring for his country in recent weeks where he has made a big impact.

The teenager was involved in all three of Billy Stark’s Scotland under 19 squads matches against Slovakia, Bosnia and England.

He starred from the start against Slovakia and won a penalty against the Auld Enemy before his summer holidays finally kicked off giving him a well earned breather on Tuesday.

“It is always nice to go away with Scotland but to do so to try and qualify for the Euro’s and to play against England was extra special,” admitted Sparky.

“We started our trio of games well and I managed to win a penalty against both Slovakia and England but unfortunately I didn’t get to take any of them.

“I was desperate to take them but there were guys ahead of me in the pecking order so I had to miss out.

“To be honest I was a bit disappointed not to start against England as I felt I did well enough in my other games to earn a start.

“But it was great to come on and play against some excellent players.

“The standard was really high and I thought Nathan Delfouneso from Aston Villa ran the show and although the striker Nile Ranger was a big lump he did well, scored the first goal and gave our defenders a tough time.”

It has been a memorable season for 19-year-old Griffiths who scored a stunning 22 goals in just 28 games, was crowned the PFA First Division Players Player of the Year, picked up an award for Young Player of the Season at the Irn Brun SFL awards and also capped his Scotland B debut with a well taken goal.

His campaign is all the more remarkable considering the turmoil in the dressing room and corridors of power of his club with allegations of late wages, a manager sacked and another suspended.

But Sparky insists it was easy to leave any problems behind him on the touchline come match day.

He insisted: “To be honest I never found it really hard to concentrate on my game on a Saturday playing for Livi.

“Everytime I ran onto the pitch I did my best to play my natural game, score goals and get points on the board.

“I’m not bothered by all the speculation in the papers as all I can do is try and do my best on the pitch and see what happens from there.”

“I haven’t heard anymore from West Brom or from any other clubs but I’m leaving all of that to my agent to deal with.

“I’m heading off to Greece this week for my holidays and as things stand I think I will still be a Livingston player next season.”