McGhee: Leigh Griffiths can be the new Kenny Miller for Scotland

Scotland assistant boss backs new Celtic signing to become a Scotland hero.

Leigh Griffiths has given his Scotland prospects a shot in the arm through his million-pound-plus move to Celtic.

That’s the view of Mark McGhee, the assistant national coach, who argues the 23-year-old has the potential to develop into the country’s long-term replacement for Kenny Miller.

“We looked at Leigh when he was with Wolves, and saw so many good things,” says Gordon Strachan’s No. 2.

“At the same time, though, there were also so many areas in which we felt he could improve. Now he has moved to Celtic, I think there is absolutely no doubt that is going to happen.

“With respect to the clubs he has been with in the past Wolves, Hibs, Livingston and Dundee he is going to get better playing alongside the players they have at Celtic Park. So that can only be good for Leigh.

“He has already got a handful of caps and been around our squads, so the future is bright for him.”

Next month’s friendly against Poland in Warsaw will be the first Scotland international since Griffiths made his switch, and McGhee expects him to be in the mix.

“We have got a group of strikers and Leigh is somewhere in there,” he says. “As to whether he will play, we will decide nearer the time.

“We have a good enough relationship with Neil Lennon and Garry Parker to work with them to get the best understanding of how Leigh is getting on.”

The Scotland management team are likewise delighted by Liam Bridcutt’s successful introduction to the English Premier League with Sunderland.

The Black Cats paid £2.5-million for the midfielder’s transfer from Brighton at the end of the window, and got a quick reward when he played in an influential role in the Tyne-Wear derby victory over Newcastle United last Saturday.

“I watched Liam a couple of times at the start of the year, and thought he had been a little bit off the pace as he was coming back from injury,” McGhee reveals.

“Since then, though, he has moved to Sunderland and he is doing really well. It is a big step up for him. The standard in the Premier League is extraordinary, and it will bring the best out of him.

“We like Liam because he is one of those guys who will do the job you want him to do. He is very methodical in his approach, which is a valuable quality.

“Having spoken to Brighton assistant coach Nathan Jones about him, I would guess he still has a little way to go in terms of fitness.

“By the time of the Poland game, however, Liam should be back to full speed and he will definitely be considered.”