I DIDN’T MEAN TO STAMP ON SAM
Griff insists beaks right to clear him
insists the SFA bosses were right to boot out claims he stuck his studs into Sam Woods. The Celtic striker dodged a ban after Hamilton claimed he should have seen red for his clash in last Sunday’s 4-1 win at New Douglas Park. The flashpoint was raised by Hampden compliance officer Clare Whyte but the panel of three ex-refs didn’t agree to pursue
any further punishment. Griffiths insisted it was the right call – as he didn’t set out to stamp on his Accies rival.
He said: “I wasn’t really relieved, it wasn’t intentional. I never meant to stamp on him at all.
“As I was on my way down I caught my foot and there was no other place I could plant it.
“There are a number of angles you can look at.
“In slow motion, he’s got my foot, so do I either fall on top of him or put my weight on my left leg and try to stop with my right?
“Yes, I’ve caught him with my right leg but it was totally accidental. The ref dealt with it and the SFA have decided there’s no case and we move on.”
Griffiths managed to escape a suspension but he did cop flak from boss Neil Lennon for squaring up with Alex Gogic after the Woods incident.
The 29-year-old said: “It was wrong of me but if you’re being accused of something you didn’t intentionally do, you’re going to get that bit fiery.
“But again the ref dealt with it and I got booked.
“The manager had a stern word with me at half-time to say just calm yourself because one more challenge and he may send you off. Credit to the gaffer for taking me aside.”
Celtic boss Lennon could rotate his squad for Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash at Clyde but Griffiths is out to continue his hot streak after rattling four goals in six appearances since the winter break.
The Scotland star – who spent almost a year out battling personal problems – said: “The more minutes I get on the pitch the more helpful it will be in my race to get back 100 per cent fit. “That’s five on the bounce I’ve started now.
“You can train all you like but there’s nothing like playing.”