Neil Lennon believes Leigh Griffiths will add attacking quality and strength to the squad if he keeps his fitness up.

The 29-year-old made his first first-team appearance since August when he came off the bench the second half of Celtic’s 4-0 victory over Livingston on Saturday.

Earlier this month the Hoops hero had been hit with a thigh strain and a virus and hasn’t appeared in Lennon’s side since their 3-1 win over Hearts back on August 25.

READ MORE: Scott Brown: A fully fit Leigh Griffiths would only benefit Celtic and Scotland

He’s also been dealing with some personal problems and illnesses.

The Celtic boss has been encouraging Griffiths to look after himself to get stronger at the Parkhead club and believes there is still a lot of ‘hunger’ in him.

Speaking to Celtic TV, he said: "I have spoken to him about this.

"I hope so. I didn't come to Celtic until I was 29 and people thought I had been here all my life.

"If you look after yourself and keep yourself in good condition, you can play for a long time now, the way the modern game is going.

"He certainly has the appetite for it. There is a hunger there to get back in and he really missed playing.

READ MORE: Leigh Griffiths steps up comeback with double in Stenhousemuir friendly at Lennoxtown

"Hopefully he will get fitter and stronger and have a good run of games now. He needs to do extra work, he needs to stay on top of his condition.

"He is in reasonable condition now and he is working hard and to make sure he stays fit.

"The fitter you are, the more robust you become and then you are less likely to pick up soft tissue injuries which is one that he had with a thigh strain.

"It is good to have him back, it adds that little bit of quality to the attack and strength that we already have."