GRIFFITHS HAILS FELLOW HOOPS
Griff hails fellow Hoops hitman
CELTIC striker Leigh Griffiths believes his fellow forward Moussa Dembele underlined his top level credentials with his performance against Rangers at Hampden yesterday afternoon.
Griffiths replaced Dembele as Brendan Rodgers’ side clocked up their biggest Scottish Cup semi-final win over Rangers since 1925 and their
biggest win at Hampden over Rangers since the 1969 Scottish Cup Final.
But he had no complaints about not starting the game given the manner in which Dembele, who netted Celtic’s third goal with an audacious chip from the spot, dominated the game.
“You can’t take anything away from him,” he said. “He showed with that display that he is one of the top young talents in Europe. He bullied their centre-halfs and he was unplayable. His penalty just summed the guy up.
“It doesn’t matter how big the occasion is, he is always calm. I thought he was exceptional. He never gave the Rangers defence a minute’s peace.
“He has that in the locker and when he is in the mood like that he is a joy to watch.”
Griffiths described the 4-0 win over Rangers as the most one-sided game he has been involved in against the Ibrox side – but stressed that he wants the league won by the time Celtic play them next.
The Parkhead side are at Easter Road on Saturday with three points guaranteeing the title. A draw or defeat would enable Rodgers’ side to formally seal the title against Rangers at Celtic Park but Griffiths is adamant the Hoops want it done before then.
“We want to go to Easter Road now and finish the league off,” said the striker. “Hibs have been really tough games for us this season and they’ll make it hard for us.
“There is nothing in my mind other than three points. Like everyone in the dressing room I want to go out and win it as quickly as we can.
“There’s no way we would voluntarily delay the title.
“Everybody knows I am a Hibs fan but I play for Celtic and I want that league wrapped up as soon as possible.”
Celtic’s win yesterday takes the club within one game of making history by becoming the first Scottish club to win back-to-back Trebles, something Griffiths is keen to play a part in.
“I am fully fit and ready to go,” he said.
“That is probably the most one-sided game against Rangers I have seen. But we could have got more. There was one when KT [Kieran Tierney] put the ball across goal for Scott [Sinclair] when I had a tap in.
“Rangers won’t be looking forward to coming to Celtic Park. What we have done to them just shows when we bring our ‘A’ game there is no-one can touch us.”
Griffiths’ cameo included a spot of ball juggling at the death yesterday as he went to take a corner - something he was a little sheepish about.
“I was keeping the fans on their toes a bit!” he joked.