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Legendary Scottish broadcaster Jim White has launched a passionate plea to Leigh Griffiths as he urged the striker to change his lifestyle.

The Celtic star is taking time off due to personal issues but was issued a warning by Brendan Rodgers on Wednesday.

Griffiths was recently photographed at Newcastle racecourse. The 28-year-old posted a statement on Twitter the following day denying he has a gambling problem.

Now talkSPORT host White, who battled with his own demons as he beat his drink problem, urged Griffiths to sort his own issues.

The 62-year-old said: "Is Griffiths handling it well? He's a Celtic player, he remains a Celtic player.

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"His employer is being enormously sensitive to his situation but clearly Leigh has a massive responsibility to help himself. Watch were you go, surround yourself with the right people.

"It's going to take Leigh Griffiths to help Leigh Griffiths - unless he steps in and realises that's he's got to change the way he lives on a day-to-day basis then nothing is going to get better for Leigh Griffiths.

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"Is he doing enough to help himself.

"Leigh if you're listening, then listen to me.

"Eight years ago I attended a meeting with a lot of good people who were drinking too much and it's stuck with me to this day and that’s why I haven't lifted a drink since.

"Nothing changes if nothing changes, just think about that Leigh, just think about that."

Rod Stewart later joined the show as he also urged Griffiths to get better. He said: "He shouldn’t have gone to the races."

Griffiths’ social media message slammed the report and online rumours that hinted at a gambling problem.

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He wrote: "Despite what has been written about me, rumoured or said to you from afar, I just want to settle 1 thing and make it clear once and for all.

"I am off work due to my mental health state. NOT GAMBLING, DRUGS, or any other issue that has been written about me since December.

"The stories, the tweets, the lies that come out people's mouth is laughable, but I suppose if they're talking about me, they are leaving someone else alone."

But Brendan Rodgers warned his striker "you’re not on holiday" as he takes time away from football.

The Celtic manager said: “I haven’t seen anything since I came out here. I was obviously made aware of it but haven’t seen the pictures of it.

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“The club are dealing with it, it’s a private matter.

“Leigh was off on grounds of his health so the club are supporting him with that and I’ve nothing much more to say on it until I, one, speak to Leigh. And two, see something.

“But that will not be until I get back. I just need to see where it’s all at because he’s not on holiday. It’s one where I’ll take a deep breath and look at it.

“It’s very important he understands why he’s off and why he has been given the time off. Why he has to maximise that time in terms of getting better.

“That’s about getting specialist help and lying low and focusing on the simple things in your life that will allow you to be better.

“It’s a bit of responsibility. You take a deep breath, assess where you are at and then take the responsibility."