Leigh Griffiths
A fiercely competitive Scottish striker whose powerful left foot and combustible spirit defined a career of spectacular goals and public controversy.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Scottish footballer·Birthday: August 20·Millennials
Biography
Leigh Griffiths' football life has been a rollercoaster of sublime talent and self-inflicted turbulence. Emerging from Livingston, he became a goal-scoring force for Dundee and Wolverhampton Wanderers before finding his spiritual home at Celtic. In Glasgow, he formed a lethal partnership, his whip-crack left foot delivering unforgettable free-kicks and crucial goals in an era of domestic dominance. Yet his time was perpetually punctuated by off-field incidents and disciplinary breaches that tested the patience of managers and fans. A complex figure, Griffiths also earned caps for Scotland, his passion undeniable even when his focus wavered. In later years, his move to Australia represented a fresh start far from the intense scrutiny of British football, allowing him to extend his playing days while stepping into coaching.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Leigh was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Leigh Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Leigh's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won five Scottish Premiership titles, four Scottish Cups, and four Scottish League Cups with Celtic.
- Named Scottish Premiership Player of the Year and Scottish Football Writers' Association Player of the Year for the 2014–15 season.
- Scored over 100 goals for Celtic across all competitions.
- Earned 22 caps for the Scotland national football team, scoring four goals.
- Won the Scottish Championship title with Dundee in the 2011–12 season.
Did You Know?
He is a trained barber and has been known to cut his teammates' hair.
He once celebrated a goal for Hibernian by pretending to smoke a corner flag.
He has a large tattoo of a koi fish on his right arm.
He played junior football for Edinburgh side Hutchison Vale, a noted youth club.
“Scoring against England at Hampden is a moment I'll never forget.”
