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Claims Celtic player Leigh Griffiths sent flirty messages to a 15-year-old girl are being investigated by police.
The Scotland striker, who signed a new contract with Celtic last week, is accused of sending private messages over Instagram to the teenager, a young footballer who plays for a premiership team.
As reported by the Daily Record, the leaked exchange went viral on social media last night (Tuesday), with an account linked to the 30-year-old Celtic player appearing to request pictures from the girl before a clapping emoji is sent in response to an underwear photo she shared.
Asked about the issue by the Record, a Police Scotland spokesman said: “We have been made aware of social media content. We are making enquiries and assessing for criminality.”
A source at the girl’s club last night told the Record said she had been given guidance on her social media activity and her parents had been spoken to over the incident.
The teenager – who cannot be identified for legal reasons – also took to her Instagram page on Tuesday to tell her followers she had not revealed her age during the alleged chat.
(Image: PA Wire)
In screengrabs of the messages, an account in Griffiths’ name sends two emojis of cameras flashing to the teenager.
She replies “what do you mean? x” before he says “nothing, killed it x” with laughing emojis.
He later adds: “Have a think of it and get back to me x”
A clapping emoji then appears in the private thread on a picture the teen shared publicly of her in underwear, which she likes in return.
She wrote on her Instagram stories: “I’m sure a lot of you have seen what’s going on.
“Leigh Griffiths didn’t ask my age therefore he wasn’t capable of knowing. In no way does this make it right but anyway hail hail.
“No way am I sticking up for him I genuinely feel sorry for his wife and children and yes I did reply because I’m a Celtic fan.
“Obviously I felt privileged that he had messaged me, my age was never mentioned and I’m sure if he knew he wouldn’t have replied.”
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Griffiths stepped back from playing in December 2018 because of depression and has since been open about his battles with his mental health.
He looked set to leave Parkhead recently, with his contract up and all mentions of the club removed from his social media bios, but manager Ange Postecoglou handed him a new 12-month deal last Thursday, saying he felt the star has “unfinished business” at the club.
The star has five children from previous relationships and is dating dental nurse Caitlyn Melville who he headed to Hampden with recently to cheer on the national team in the Euros.
Grabs of the messages appear to have been shared on Snapchat before going viral on Twitter yesterday, sparking a huge reaction from fans.
A source close to the teenager told the Record: “She’s a Celtic fan who got excited when he messaged her.
“Her parents are furious and she’s been told to lock her social media.
“She’s a nice kid who got swept up by a famous man. She’s learned her lesson.”
A spokesperson for Celtic said: “We have been made aware of online comments concerning Leigh Griffiths. The Club will now look into this matter carefully”.
“Leigh has left the Club’s training camp as we do this”.
“It would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time.”
The Daily Record made several attempts to contact Griffiths but have received no response.
The Record contacted the teenager’s parents but her mum said: “I have nothing to say on the matter.”
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