GREATSALZ OF FIRE

Griffiths determined to help Celts into knockout phase as Austrian champs come to town

LEIGH GRIFFITHS started Celtic’s Europa League campaign with a bang and has vowed to make sure it doesn’t end with a whimper.

The Hoops hitman set the ball rolling against Rosenborg in September with the late winner that got the Parkhead men their first three points of the section. Griffiths lives for smashing records and he has his sights set on Celtic’s European scorers list having edged into the top five this term. His strike against Rosenborg on matchday one was his 13th Euro goal since joining the club in January 2014.

That takes him into fifth spot on the goal chart alongside Lisbon Lions Stevie Chalmers and Willie Wallace.

Griffiths is now just one shy of Bobby Lennox and three back from Chris Sutton and Jimmy Johnstone.

And while he admits ever catching up with 35-goal Henrik Larsson is a pipe dream, he’s willing to aim high and see where it takes him and his team. Griffiths said: “I don’t go searching for them [records] myself but people put it online – especially on

Twitter. They say you’re close to this or that record so I’ll have a quick glance and, if I’m up there, I’ll take pride in it.

“I’ve still got a long way to go so I’ll add to those totals.

“There’s prestige attached to European goals and when you look at the list and see you’re close to a certain player you want to emulate them. “I know Henrik (below) has scored more than anyone else and if I could get half as many as he did then I’ll be doing well. “Getting 100 goals for the club was a real milestone and my next target is to see how close I can get to 200. It’s nice to have scored 104 so far and having signed that new fouryear contract, I’ve been given the chance to add to that total.

“It doesn’t matter which competition you’re scoring in as long as you’re doing your job – that’s the main thing.” As he battles with Odsonne Edouard to start games, he’s ready for another fight to prove he’s worthy of inclusion. Griffiths said: “I like proving people wrong. “There were a lot of people who didn’t think I’d be able to cut it here and that I would be away the first chance the manager got.

“But I’ve been here for a long time now and the fact he just gave me a four-year deal shows he has faith in me.”

OFF TO A FINE START Celts’ Leigh Griffiths celebrates his goal which won the game against Rosenborg