BACKIN THE GOAL ROUTINE

But Bren won’t be forced into bringing Griff in from the cold

LEIGH GRIFFITHS was back in scoring form in a rare celtic start this term – but hoops boss brendan rodgers has insisted that it won’t put him under pressure to stick with the scotland internationalist.

The striker netted his tenth goal of the season in the 4-1 win at firhill last night in what was his first start since november 5. it is an impressive return given the fact that he has spent much of the season on the bench as moussa dembele, with 17 goals so far, has dominated the headlines.

griffiths netted 40 times last season for celtic, but rodgers has insisted that there is little currency in what has gone before.

asked if he was of a mind to start with griffiths against

Hamilton Accies this Tuesday night, Rodgers said: “I’m not really worried.

“I’ve a mind to win the game, whether it’s Leigh or whoever I’m not really worried.

“Whatever the team I choose to play, I’ve nothing in my contract that says I have to play Leigh Griffiths.

“I’ll play always the team I think can win the game. I respect what Leigh did last season but I wasn’t here last season.

“This is a new team with a different way of working and a new manager and all the players understand that and that’s why they respect the team that plays.”

Rodgers, though, was effusive in his praise of Stuart Armstrong who netted a double.

The midfielder has come to the fore in recent weeks and Rodgers is delighted with the manner in which he has established himself at the heart of the midfield.

“Stuart is at a really high level,” said Rodgers. “For the first goal, his desire to get in the box – he’ll always have that.

“If I played him at right-back, he’d have that.

“His all round performance, his pressing of the game – along with Scott and Tom – was of a high level.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers has confirmed James Forrest is not expected to be sidelined for too long.

The Celtic winger pulled up against Manchester City with a hamstring strain and will miss the next few weeks.

“It’s nothing too serious so probably maximum a couple of weeks,” said Rodgers.