Leith Griffiths knows he’s in the Last Chance Saloon

“The League’s won for this season now and I’ll enjoy my summer but not the way I did last season.”

Leigh Griffiths has admitted that a summer of over-indulgence last year nearly cost him his Celtic career.

But the Parkhead striker has vowed not to make the same mistakes again in the next six weeks to make sure he reports back for pre-season in good physical and mental condition to help his team into the Champions League.

Griffiths is deadly serious, and not just paying lip service to the demands he has placed on himself after a heart-to-heart with Ronny Deila.

That has led to him being voted the SPFL Player of the Month for April.

After a few misdemeanours off the park, Griffiths knows he is just one wrong move away from being shown the door by the Hoops.

He said: “In October and November when I wasn’t playing, I went to see the manager and John Collins and had a good talk.

“They told me what they wanted, and thankfully I went away and did that and that’s why I’m playing now.

“This is the most settled I’ve felt. Last summer when I came back, I maybe wasn’t as fit as I should have been.

“Maybe that’s why the manager didn’t play me?

“I probably let myself go a bit. I didn’t do a lot of stuff and left it too late, until the last week when I went a few runs.

“I wanted to enjoy the summer because it was the first League title I had won. The League’s won for this season now and I’ll enjoy my summer but not the way I did last season.

“I worked on the park, off the park just small things, like working on my touch, being stronger and fitter. I’ve gone to the gym a lot.

“Off the park, it wasn’t just about fitness, it was the way I was living eating right at home, being prepared for games and working hard.

“It was important I knuckled down, because not playing in the team was hurting my family and that’s when it all really hit home.

“I was going home angry, disappointed and hurt, and the only way to change it was to work even harder.

“My kids were getting upset. They like seeing me on the pitch scoring goals.

“When they asked why I wasn’t playing, it was hard to give them an answer. But since January, they’ve enjoyed the games and seeing me score goals.

“I’ve hit double figures since January, and if I get a good run in the team next season, I hope to hit 25-plus.

“So, I know I’m on my last chance here. I have knuckled down and left all that off the field stuff behind me.

“I am hardly ever out in Edinburgh. I am always spending time with my kids, so it’s not as if I am out on the town causing mayhem.

“If I am out and something happens, I know that I need to walk away, because I know one bad situation and I will be out the door.”

Griffiths is getting advice from skipper Scott Brown and sees him as a mentor.

He stressed: “Scott is the main man. When it comes down to games, you want him in your team.

“He has reminded me many times that there are not many chances to play for Celtic.

“I don’t want to lose it. That is why I spoke to the gaffer and Scott. They said that once you leave here it is a downward spiral.”