Leigh Griffiths handed Rangers clash vote of confidence amid flare kick fallout
James McPake insists he has no fears about playing Leigh Griffiths against Rangers amid the flare kick fallout. The Dundee striker is accused of “culpable and reckless conduct” by Police Scotland over the incident during the Premier Sports Cup quarter final on Wednesday. The on-loan C...
James McPake insists he has no fears about playing Leigh Griffiths against Rangers amid the flare kick fallout.
The Dundee striker is accused of “culpable and reckless conduct” by Police Scotland over the incident during the Premier Sports Cup quarter final on Wednesday.
The on-loan Celtic looks set to be hit with an SFA ban and could land anything between two and 12 matches.
Despite the ongoing storm around the 31-year-old is set to face Rangers on Saturday with no action expected from Hampden until next week.
McPake has backed Griffiths to keep his focus on the park as the rock bottom side look for their first win of the campaign.
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He said during his pre-match press conference: “I have absolutely no concerns about playing Leigh against Rangers, Hearts, whoever it is.
“I know Leigh as a character and he’ll handle the occasion.”
The Scotland cap has yet to find the net since leaving Parkhead for a return to Dens Park, but McPake believes it is only a matter of time for Griffiths.
When asked if he thought his striker would break his duck against Steven Gerrard's men he said: “I’m hoping that it is, and that we create the chances.
“If we keep creating those clear-cut chances and if they fall to Leigh then there’ll be goals.”
Charges the player could face include improper conduct and excessive misconduct with video currently being reviewed by SFA Compliance officer Andrew Phillips.
Griffiths claimed he was only removing the flare from the park in the flashpoint moments after the Perth Saints took the lead.
But he was hit with a police charge last night and a spokesperson for the force said: "Police Scotland can confirm that a 31-year-old man has been charged in relation to culpable and reckless conduct, following an incident at Dens Park, Dundee, on Wednesday, 22 September. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."
