Leigh Griffiths offers to replace stolen presents

Celtic player Leigh Griffiths offered to buy presents for an Edinburgh family after their house was robbed. Pic: Robert Perry

Hoops striker Griffiths jumped into action after he heard the home of Hearts fan Michael Wright had been broken into on Tuesday morning.

Money for gifts, as well as the family’s white Ford car which was parked outside, were stolen.

Michael and his partner Jade and five-year-old son Shane were asleep upstairs when their home in the Inch area of Edinburgh was targeted.

Michael Wright with son Shane. Pic: Ian Georgeson

After hearing about the robbery - and the fact that money for Shane’s presents had been take - former-Hibs hero Griffiths messaged Michael on Facebook and offered to buy Shane some computer games for Christmas.

Griffiths posted: “Heard about the story of your house getting broken into. What games did you want for the little man and I’ll buy them for you. It’s a hard time of year for people to loose stuff and I’d like to help.”

But stunned Jambo Michael turned the Scottish internationalist’s kind offer down and said he had since discovered all the lad’s presents were tucked away safe and sound.

Michael, 29, said: “We were so gutted to have been burgled and have all that cash and my car stolen, but to then get the message from Leigh was just amazing.

“I never thought anyone could be so kind and it really is a thoughtful thing for him to do.

“I’m a big Hearts fan and have always hated him when he was on the football pitch, but my view of him has really changed now.

“He usually hits the headlines for all the wrong reasons but we have to give him credit. As a family we all really appreciate what he has done, even though I turned him down.”

After receiving Griffith’s online message, Michael replied: “Wow! You were the last person I ever expected to send me a message. Lol.

“Seriously though your generosity touched me but we have things covered. Thank you very much mate.”

The security guard was left devastated earlier this week following the break-in at his capital home where cash and his car were stolen in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Within ten minutes details of the vehicle were immediately circulated to police officers across Edinburgh and a ‘stolen’ marker was added to the Police National Computer.

“We would urge the public to always lock their doors prior to retiring for the evening or leaving your home unoccupied.”