Latest news with #VictorGriffith
The Courier
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Courier
Victor Griffith opens up on St Johnstone challenge as Panama recall has pre-season impact
St Johnstone midfielder, Victor Griffith, aims to make up for lost time with the Panama national team. The 24-year-old signed for Saints in January, and playing for his country after a couple of years out of the picture was one of his aims. Head coach, Thomas Christiansen, wanted to call him up in March but Griffith decided that his recovery from an ankle injury would be better served by staying in Scotland. Although his form for the Perth side wasn't as good after that lay-off than it was before, he was recalled for Panama's June World Cup qualifiers and the Concacaf Gold Cup that follows on. And, speaking to the media back home, Griffith has been positive about his first few months at McDiarmid Park, despite the fact Saints were relegated from the Premiership. He is currently in a training camp and is expected to be confirmed in Panama's official 26-man squad at the start of next week. It has been suggested that Griffith has a strong chance of getting game-time. And he is excited about the prospect of adding to his 10 caps now that the wait for a recall has ended. 'I have high expectations,' he said. 'I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. 'Right now, I'm focused on doing well, on my return to the national team, and I want to accomplish everything the coach asks of me. 'Expectations are high, and we're always going to want to win.' On the challenges Griffith has faced in Scotland, he reflected: 'Well, it was actually quite a big step, going from the Panama league to European football. 'That's rarely seen before. 'The truth is that it's helped me a lot. Since I arrived there, they've given me enormous confidence. 'I played in positions that weren't my usual ones. 'They opened up a window of positions where I could perhaps show off a bit better or do things differently.' Panama's busy schedule is likely to have an impact on Griffith being able to hit the ground running with Saints next season, however. The last time there was a Gold Cup, they went all the way through to the final. If they repeat that this time around, the tournament won't conclude for Griffith until July 7. Saints return for pre-season training on June 23.
The Courier
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Courier
St Johnstone trio called up for international duty
St Johnstone trio, Victor Griffith, Daniels Balodis and Adama Sidibeh, have all received international recognition despite the disappointing end to the Perth club's season. Centre-back, Balodis, has been called up by Latvia for their friendly against Azerbaijan on June 7, which will be followed by a World Cup qualifier against Albania three days later. Griffith decided to turn down the chance to join up with the Panama squad during the March international break, opting to stay in Scotland and focus on his comeback from an ankle injury. He is currently in a training camp back home. Panama have a busy spell of fixtures – two World Cup qualifiers and then the Concacaf Gold Cup. The final squad for those games won't be announced until the start of next week. Sidibeh has been recalled by Gambia after missing out on a few squads. They play two friendlies. Meanwhile, Aaron Essel and Andre Raymond could face each other in the third-place play-off of the Unity Cup on Saturday, taking place at Brentford's stadium. Both Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago lost their semi-finals. Essel started the game but was taken off injured halfway through the clash with Nigeria.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Griffith pledges to stay at Saints
St Johnstone midfielder Victor Griffith, the 24-year-old Panama international who signed an 18-month contract in January, has pledged to stay with the Perth club and help bring them back to the Scottish Premiership. (Courier - subscription required), externalRead Saturday's Scottish gossip
The Courier
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
St Johnstone midfielder gives staying in Perth pledge and sends 'come back stronger' message
St Johnstone midfielder, Victor Griffith, has pledged to stay with the Perth club and help bring them back to the Premiership. The Panama international was one of several January transfer signings from abroad. Griffith made a good first impression with his new team but an ankle injury sustained at Kilmarnock halted that early momentum. He made three starts after the top-flight split but struggled to make an impact, like several others. Griffith has a year left on his contract and is determined to return to Saints for pre-season training next month. In an Instagram post, he said: 'That sometimes things don't go the way we want, yes, but we must recover and move on!!!! 'Thank you for the support in each of the games of this difficult season, see you next time!!! 'We will come back stronger.' Head coach, Simo Valakari, has revealed that in this summer's transfer window he will focus on Scottish players for whom the Championship won't be a culture shock.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Griffith rejected Panama call to make Saints priority'
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has revealed that Victor Griffith declined a Panama call-up so the 24-year-old midfielder could get himself in the best possible condition for his club's battle to avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership and prepare for their Scottish Cup semi-final. (The Courier), externalRead Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.
