Leigh Griffiths thankful for support and says he will return to football 'as soon as possible'

Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths says he is grateful for the support he has received since it was announced he was taking a break from football.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said on Wednesday that the Scotland international was taking a break for "a number of months" due to "a number of issues outside the football environment".

Griffiths released a statement on Thursday, in which he expressed his gratitude for the response the announcement has prompted

He said: "I just wanted to thank everyone at the club, and so many Celtic fans and other people, who have sent me such kind and powerful messages of support.

"I thank you all sincerely and want to let you know I'm doing all I can to come back as soon as possible, a better and stronger person."

The 28-year-old arrived at Celtic in 2014 and is a key figure at the club, having helped them to achieve back-to-back domestic trebles.

His 2018/19 campaign has been somewhat disrupted by injuries, but he has still managed 22 appearances so far.

Support has come in for Griffiths from across football, including some of his former clubs.

Livingston told Griffiths to "take the time you need to get back to a happier place - there's always a seat with your name on it here", while Hibernian stated: "We're all with you, Leigh."

Rodgers revealed Celtic were seeking professional help for Griffiths and PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart has reminded players that assistance is close at hand for anybody who is struggling.

Wishart told Sky Sports News: "In recent years we've had a number of players who have come forward with all sorts of issues, to do with mental health, to do with gambling and to do with other addictions.

"What it shows is that football players are not immune to the issues and troubles that people face every day.

"We recognised that a number of years ago and we've put in place a very robust support network for any of our members that wish to talk to somebody and get some support and advice.

"There's a bespoke phone number that they can text or they can phone and if they leave a message they will be seen within 24 hours.

"They are assessed by one of two or three GPs, who are supporting the network, and then after that, depending on whether it's pretty serious or more to do with anxiety or whatever else, they are placed with the appropriate counsellor or the appropriate person who is there to help them.

"It's entirely confidential and we hand out cards to players at every single club visit and it's widely used by our members and much needed."