Griffiths Denies Leave Down To Drugs Or Gambling

6 January 2019, 12:21 | Updated: 6 January 2019, 12:30

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths says he's on leave from Celtic for mental health reasons, not because of gambling or drug issues.

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths says he's on leave from Celtic for mental health reasons, not because of gambling or drug issues.

Griffiths took to Twitter, after pictures, appearing to show him at a racecourse on Saturday, were published in a tabloid newspaper.

"I am off work due to my mental health state," Griffiths said in a statement on Twitter. "NOT GAMBLING, DRUGS, or any other issue that has been written about me since December."

The striker described stories, comments and social media posts about him as "laughable".

"If anyone would like to come forward with real evidence that suggests I'm off with the above mentioned either from my employers, or anyone else, let's see it," he added.

"I'm putting this out there now because family and friends are being asked questions and they've been told to say nothing."