Leigh Griffiths
Hoops striker has his eye on hitting100
LEIGH GRIFFITHS believes he can become a Celtic legend this season – by notching his 100th goal for the Bhoys.
Griffiths has already earned hero status at Parkhead after bagging 85 goals in his three-and-a-half years in the Hoops.
Now he is determined to outshine hot shot Moussa Dembele on his way to claiming membership of Celtic’s exclusive 100 club.
“Since I’ve been at Celtic, I’ve only hit single figures once,” said Griffiths.
“Getting 100 is something I want to do and, hopefully, if we get to the Champions League group stages, I can score and tick that off the list.
“It’s been a long time since anyone hit the 100-goal mark.
“John Hartson was the last one and it’s a great feat for anyone to get that amount of goals for a club.
“If you do that, you will be talked about for a while.
“I have come back fresh and, hopefully, I’ll get a lot of games this season and more goals.”
Griffiths’ chances of finding the net have been boosted by the capture of Jonny Hayes from Aberdeen.
Hayes notched 24 assists for the Dons last season, along with 11 goals.
Unsurprisingly, Griffiths can’t wait to take the field with the Irish internationalist on his side.
“I am pleased to see Jonny sign. He’s been Aberdeen’s best player for a couple of seasons and will be a great addition,” he said.
“He will bring competition on the wings, both left and right.
“He’s been Aberdeen’s main player. He’s scored a couple of worldies against us and it’s good he will be on the same team now.
“If there are more to come, they will be welcome.”
The Scottish Premiership is often criticised – particularly down south – for its relative lack of strength in depth.
But Griffiths reckons Hayes’ signing is just the latest to prove that there is genuine talent at Scottish clubs.
“Look at Stuart Armstrong,” said the Celtic striker.
“He came in and last season he wasn’t in some of the 19-man squads. He went away and worked hard on the training ground and is reaping the reward.
“He will crack on this season and get even better and it is something that people have got to look at – we can sign players from Scottish clubs and they can make a name for themselves here.
“Scott Brown has been here for 10 years and has done it all. He is the prime example that you can go from one Scottish club to another and keep going.
“Celtic are renowned for going in and spending big money on players but you can find hidden gems in the Scottish game.
“Stuarty is a prime example. We got him for around £1m but God knows what his valuation is now.”
Griffiths’ own value has been boosted after his stunning dead-ball double in Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against England.
But he reckons it is the less spectacular side of his game that really deserves notice – and he aims to showcase it in the Champions League.
“From the start of last season until now my link-up play is night and day,” he said.
“It just goes to show against a team of the class of England that I can do it on the international stage.
“It is just about trying to get that into the Champions league and show everyone what I can do.
“I didn’t get enough game time in the Champions League last season purely because I was injured.
“But hopefully this time if I stay injury free I’ll get a fair crack of the whip.”