The Blackburn Rovers defender is currently on loan at Scottish crisis club Gretna, a team teetering on the brink of closure due to a cash crisis.

Perth-born Griffiths, 20, is commuting to Gretna from Lancashire as the SPL side can no longer afford to pay his rent.

His next challenge is to ensure there’s enough fuel in the tank to face Scott McDonald’s Celtic this weekend.

Griffiths told The Scotsman newspaper: “I train for the majority of the week at Blackburn and then head back up to Gretna for the games so I am getting the best of both worlds really.

“I tend to train with the reserves at Blackburn but there are times when I do train with the first team. It’s good experience for me because I go up against the likes of Benni McCarthy, Roque Santa Cruz and big Jason Roberts.

“They are all big, physical players and are all good on the ball too. I know Celtic are a good attacking force too. I don't know loads about them but they are good going forward.”

Gretna are desperately hoping Griffiths and his teammates will be roared on by a big crowd this weekend.

Administrator David Elliot, of Wilson Field, claimed last week the club had been hours away from ‘oblivion’ before managing to put out a team for their weekend defeat at Aberdeen.

Now Gretna have urged the fans who flocked to their 2006 Scottish Cup final defeat by Hearts to back them against Celtic to maintain the fight for survival.

A club spokesman said: “The match is of huge importance to everyone connected with Gretna. We need as many fans there as possible to support the team at this difficult time.

“There were over 12,000 at Hampden for the Scottish Cup final two years ago and this is another momentous occasion with the very existence of the club at stake.”

Just 501 supporters – an SPL record low – watched Gretna's last home match, a 3-0 defeat by Dundee United at Fir Park. Sunday’s game was moved to 10,000-seat Almondvale amid continuing problems with Motherwell’s pitch.

Picture courtesy of Blackburn Rovers