Leigh Griffiths may well be morally bankrupt in the eyes of sections of the Celtic faithful.

However, it looks like new Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is going to give him every chance to restore his credit in the bank.

Griffiths was bombarded by boos from some Celtic fans on Saturday as he made his return to the first-team fold in the 6-2 drubbing by English Premier League side West Ham United.

It is important to establish right off the bat that the Scotland striker was cleared of being involved in any criminality after claims he sent inappropriate messages to a teenager on social media just days after he had signed a one-year contract extension with the club.

The 30-year-old was sent packing from Celtic's pre-season training camp in Wales earlier this month as both the police and club conducted an investigation.

Griffiths made a second-half substitute appearance on Saturday against the Hammers - his first under Ange Postecoglou.

There were loud jeers and a chorus of boos as his name boomed out over the Parkhead PA system.

By the time he touched the ball for the first time, those catcalls had reached a crescendo.

At one point Griffiths moved to the corner flag to take a set-piece and the boos were then replaced by a smattering of applause from those trying to drown out the dissenters.

READ MORE: Candid Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou gives his verdict in the aftermath of Celtic's 6-2 defeat to West Ham

The Aussie didn't flinch when posed with the Griffiths question in the post-match presser.

The 55-year-old rather sagely told the Celtic support that he wouldn't be advising them on how to think regarding the issue.

Ange said: "That's going to be down to Leigh and his performances.

"If he works hard at training and produces the kind of football he can, scoring goals, I'm sure the crowd will get behind him.

"I won't be telling the Celtic supporters anything.

"They've followed this club a lot longer than I've been here.

READ MORE: Celtic Groundhog Day is no fault of Ange Postecoglou - Sean Martin

"My job is to produce a team they're proud of and we let them down today.

“Maybe it is a big challenge for him but that's what he wanted.

"He didn't have to come back.

"He wanted to come back and play for the club again. He wanted to contribute.

“When you make that decision, you embrace everything that comes along with it.”

And while Postecoglou handled a fraught question deftly, Celtic Park is clearly still a stadium divided when it comes to the former Hibs attacker.

The Griffiths sideshow is also a circus that Ange can well do without right now given the pressures ahead.

That kind of reaction with a stadium just a third full is a major concern for Celtic moving forward.

If there was a sour reaction in the arena to Griffiths' mere presence, imagine a full Parkhead? Such things can quickly become serious distractions.

And what about walking the gauntlet at away grounds that will now become a hell on earth for the striker?

Celtic kick-off their 2021/22 campaign against Hearts at Tynecastle and you'd bet - if Griffiths features - the Jambos will ensure the most hostile reception for the ex-Hibee who does not need any more reasons to become a bigger hate figure down Gorgie way.

Mud sticks and perception is everything. Griffiths will know that while Ange is well aware of it too.

Celtic Way:

The Celtic support is split into two camps.

One wants to get right behind the player and support him as he's been found to have no criminal case to answer.

The latter camp is in a more unforgiving mood and feel the apparent nature of Griffiths actions are grounds for tearing up his contract here and now.

Celtic now find themselves in the horns of a moral question rather than a football one.

There are also those who feel Griffiths has let them down once too often and should never wear the Celtic jersey ever again.

Does no criminality mean that he can still have a future? A section of the Celtic support would say no.

Celtic - for the time being at least - are unlikely to backtrack on the decision they have made not to terminate his contract. But with the transfer window open, the board and Ange now must also weigh up if it really is worth keeping him.

The Celtic fans fired their first message over the bow which seems to suggest some want him jettisoned with immediate effect.

Ange is in the process of rebuilding a Celtic team that befits and reflects his own standards, vision and dreams.

READ MORE: Candid Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou gives his verdict in the aftermath of Celtic's 6-2 defeat to West Ham

Can a player who is causing as much division and distraction as Griffiths really be seen to be a vital cog in that machine moving forward?

Griffiths' talent is certainly not in question.

On his game, he is arguably one of the best natural finishers in Scottish football.

He can also produce moments of magic from dead-ball situations - just ask Joe Hart!

For the best part of four years though, Griffiths has been on the wane. The goals have all but dried up.

Griffiths may well have 123 Celtic career strikes to date but he has netted just 25 in the last three seasons. He has also failed to reach double figures in a season since 2016/17. 

It looks increasingly likely that Frenchman Odsonne Edouard will be the next striker heading for the Celtic Park exit door with Brighton the latest to be linked with sealing a deal worth a cool £21.5 million.

The Celtic supporters' personal jury on fellow striker Albian Ajeti is still well and truly out.

Ange may well believe that it is a definite case of needs must with regards to Griffiths and that he may well have to hang around the premises for a bit longer until reinforcements are brought in.

The onus falls on Griffiths then. He has a chance to prove people wrong.

Concentrating on his football really should be his only motivator moving forward.

As Ange himself said, it is up to Griffiths to get the Celtic supporters back onside.

It's a tactic that may only work on some - it seems for others patience has finally run out.