RIVALS WILL UP ANTE TO HALT THE HOOPS

LEIGH Griffiths believes C e l t i c ’s rivals will be making a bigger effort to stop the history-making Hoops next season.

C e l t i c ’s W i l l i a m H i l l Scottish Cup Final win over Motherwell confirmed an unprecedented second successive domestic treble, while the Parkhead club have also claimed seven consecutive Ladbrokes Premiership titles to emphasise their current domination of the Scottish game.

Griffiths feels more will be demanded of Brendan Rodgers’ all-conquering side after the summer, even though Celtic’s rivals will have strengthened, with Rangers leading the way with the recent recruitment of Allan McGregor and Scott Arfield and with Jamie Murphy signing a permanent deal from Brighton after a loan spell at Ibrox.

The Scotland striker said: “There will be bigger expectations on ourselves, yes.

“We want t o go i nto every competition wanting to win it. It is not as easy as everyone makes out.

“Teams make it difficult for us, you’ve seen that this season in the league that it’s not easy anymore.

“Next season teams will be trying even harder to stop us, in the cup competitions, especially.

“Ye s , y o u s e e the business Rangers have done on the other side of t h e c i t y, H i b s w i l l b e stronger again, Aberdeen and Hearts will be strong, Kilmarnock finished well.”