LEIGH MAKES IT LOOK EASY

LEIGH GRIFFITHS handed Celtic a huge boost in their bid to be playing European football after Christmas.

With Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich expected to take the top two places in the group, this double-header with Belgian champions Anderlecht should decide who finishes third and reaches the Europa League knockout stage. Griffiths (celebrating, below) set the Bhoys on their way when he opened the scoring seven minutes before half time.

Olivier Ntcham found Kieran Tierney down the left, and his cross beat the home defence to find Griffiths at the back post, where he slammed home.

If that wasn’t good enough, it took only seven minutes of the second half for the visitors to double their lead.

Patrick Roberts collected the ball on the right corner of the area, cut inside and unleashed a fierce leftfoot shot that was on target, but covered by keeper Frank Boeckx.

However, Serigne Kara tried to make a block in front of his keeper and succeeded only in sending it into the net at the near post.

The Belgians threatened on 73 minutes when Massimo Bruno was allowed space in the middle of the pitch, and let fly with a thunderbolt from 30 yards. It was heading for the top corner, until Craig Gordon tipped it over at full stretch.

Scott Sinclair settled matters with a third goal in stoppage time.