Bus trip hell for Livi star Griffiths

Sep 7 2008 By Euan Mclean

RED-FACED Livingston star Leigh Griffiths' blistering start to the season has been halted after he injured himself running for a bus.

The gutted striker limped into Hampden this week to pick up the Irn Bru Young Player of the Month award for August after a superb start to the campaign saw him bag nine goals in as many games.

The 18-year-old admitted it was frustrating to see his scoring run brought to a halt by a knee injury.

But for it to happen in such a freak manner and force him to pull out of the Scotland Under-19s squad only rubs salt in the wound.

The Livi starlet, who will also miss today's Alba Cup clash with Partick Thistle, said: "It's nice to get this award but at the same time I'm really frustrated to see the momentum I'd built up ended by an injury like this.

"It was just a freak accident. It happened on Tuesday night when I was running to a bus stop in Dalkeith.

"I knew the bus was coming and as I turned around to see where it was my knee twisted.

"I just crumpled to the ground and couldn't move.

"The annoying thing is I was just going home to pack my bag before going away with Scotland the next day for a friendly with Holland.

"It was a blow to have to pull out. It's even more frustrating because I have been enjoying such a good spell but hopefully I'll be back training this week and make the Airdrie game on Saturday."

Leigh's form has alerted Swansea with the Championship side's boss Roberto Martinez already planning a scouting mission.

But the striker believes his scoring exploits are as much about teamwork as his own talent.

He said: "I've enjoyed a good start to the season but it's not just me, thewhole teamis playing well.

"Roberto Landi has us playing good passing football and we all believe we can go the distance in the title race."