Why Leigh Griffiths chose Mandurah City transfer as ex Celtic star heads Down Under 'for a holiday'

Ex-Raith and Falkirk ace John Baird has lifted the lid on Leigh Griffiths ' surprise move to Mandurah City.

Baird is player-manager at Mandurah and is a good friend of former Celtic star Griffiths, who has agreed to join the West Australian State League club in the third tier of Aussie football - which sits below the A-League and National Premier Division - after becoming a free agent this summer. And it has been revealed the 31-year-old is moving Down Under to explore his options and visit family in the Perth area of the country with Mandurah only having four games left of their season.

Griffiths is due to fly out to Australia this week and he could make his debut against Forrestfield next Saturday. Baird told the Scottish Sun : "Leigh is a friend of mine and he's coming over for a holiday and a look round.

"I think he has some family nearby so he's eager to come over and see everyone and have a look at the club. We only have four games left this season but he's going to come over and see what he thinks of the place.

"I never actually played with Leigh in Scotland but I've played against him many times and he's a friend. I know he's been keeping up his fitness back in Scotland while looking for a club and was working hard at Livingston."

Griffiths spent the first half of last season on loan at Dundee before being recalled by Celtic and subsequently released by the Parkhead club at the end of the January transfer window. The former Scotland hero ended up finishing the season at Falkirk but failed to find form at the Scottish League One side.

He was given the opportunity to train with Livingston during pre-season and earned glowing praise from boss David Martindale as he tries to resurrect his career.

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