New Western Sydney attacker Ryan Griffiths says Wanderers fans shouldn’t be worried about his age, declaring he’s in good nick and the man who can help solve the club’s goal-scoring woes.
The journeyman striker was unveiled as a Wanderers player on Tuesday before taking part in his first training session at Blacktown.
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Griffiths joins the club from Hong Kong outfit South China and could come straight into the squad for the weekend’s clash with Wellington Phoenix in New Plymouth.
Scoring goals has been a huge issue for the Wanderers in the 2016/17 Season – with just 20 from 17 games – but Griffiths is confident he can change all that.
“Definitely there will be goals there,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s one thing I love to do, that’s why I play.
“I’ll do my best to help whether I score or someone else it doesn’t bother me as long as we can get some results and get back into the top six.”
The 35-year-old’s signing has been met with scepticism from some Wanderers fans on social media, who believe Griffiths’ age is an issue.
Griffiths admitted he jumped at the chance to return to the Hyundai A-League when he got the call from Tony Popovic and says he returns to the competition a mentally stronger player.
The lure of playing in the AFC Champions League again was another factor in his decision, with the Wanderers’ group stage starting in three weeks with a home clash against Urawa Reds.
“I have played in the ACL before and I guess that’s one of the reasons Tony wanted me back here to help some of the younger lads,” Griffiths said.
“To express my experience and show them the ropes of the ACL.
“It’s exciting to play in the ACL again…obviously Western Sydney have had some amazing success there and I’d like to be a part of that again.”
Griffiths is the younger brother of ex-Hyundai A-League stars and twins Joel and Adam Griffiths, who are both 37.
Asked if he thought his brothers would consider a comeback now he’s back in the A-League, Griffiths said: “They both could, they are both very healthy.
“They are obviously both doing other businesses and starting other things up but I think they both could add value to any team that’s for sure.”