Hero Griff defied his critics and now I’ll do the same

TONY WATT admitted he is inspired by Hampden hero Leigh Griffiths as he vowed to return to his best in a bid to force his way back into the Scotland team. Celtic frontman Griffiths has spent his career defying critics and Watt is out to do the same after being written off. Watt shot to stardom as a teenager with his famous goal in Celtic’s sensational Champions League win over Barcelona. The striker is now at Charlton and looking to make up for last season’s injury-hit campaign at The Valley. Watt made his international debut as a substitute in the friendly win over the Czech Republic and hopes to force his way back into Gordon Strachan’s plans. And the 23-year-old said: “I know Griff and know what he can do. “That’s no coincidence he scored two free-kicks. He has the ability for that. “He did a job against a world-class team as the one up front – and took his two chances. “That’s him, he’s gone down in history. I know it was a draw but it was a good draw and he’s a good

GAVIN BERRY

player, a talented player. People write him off but people love to do that. It’s the same with football.

“But if you sat down and listened to everything people said, mentally you wouldn’t be strong enough to forge a career in anything.

“People are automatically going to knock you down, whether they think it is funny and don’t believe it or they are just trying to get a few laughs.

“Sometimes people can take it personally but you can’t do that in this business.

“Griff’s done what he set out to do and he doesn’t need to prove himself to people.”

Watt has set now his sights on getting into the best possible shape and he added: “I know I won’t fail and I know I can break back into the Scotland set-up.

“That’s not being arrogant. I know I have more than enough to play at the highest level. “Wherever I end up I’ll be mentally right and it’s going to be my fault if

I fail.”