There’s no Griffs or buts now

Hat-trick hero proves he’s ready for national recall

He won’t have an Odsonne Edouard up front with him when he finally pulls on a dark blue shirt again.

But Leigh Griffiths has surely now shown enough in a Hoops jersey to suggest he’s ready to lead the line on his own for Scotland.

The Celtic striker bagged a hat-trick against St Mirren – his second, a sublime finish – to crash through double figures in a season where he’s largely been a bit-part player.

It helped move Neil Lennon’s men a massive 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

While for Griffiths, it was another step on the comeback trail at club level, which now leaves national boss Steve Clarke with a huge decision to make ahead of the Euro 2020 play-off against Israel later this month.

Griffiths wants a recall and feels he’s ready for it. His first treble in four years indicates he might just be about to peak at the right time for his country.

An Edouard strike and Cal lum McGregor’s late penalty sealed the win and Griffiths’ manager Lennon, said: “Leigh looked more like his old self today.

“The third goal sums him up – a quick turn, no backlift, smashed into the corner.

“We’ve not seen that from him for a whi le and the second goal was brilliantly worked as well. He can be really happy with his day’s work but there’s more to come from him.

“He can still get fitter, stronger, add more endurance to his game.

“But I’m so pleased for him because he’s come a long way. Is he ready for Scotland? Well, his timing is good!

“We’ve been patient and he owes the club a lot, but with a performance like that, he’s starting to repay it.

“That will give him a huge lift. He now knows he can still do it, but we all knew that he could.

“It’s down to Steve Clarke now.”

The champions weren’t even at their best yesterday but were still far too good for Jim Goodwin’s side who just couldn’t contain their attacking threat.

In the first half, Saints actually played well in flashes. From back to middle, they played out impressively.

Cammy MacPherson and Jamie McGrath were particularly good in midfield, while Calum Waters posed a threat down the left.

But Goodwin’s 5-3-2 game plan was dependant on total concentration at the back – and that’s the problem against this Celtic team, if you switch off for a second, you get punished. Heavily. Saints were doing okay for 18 minutes, then Edouard gathered in on the edge of the box and clipped a ball to the back post.

St Mirren had plenty of numbers in there but Waters and Akin Famewo were sleeping and allowed Griffiths – timing his run to perfection to stay onside – to sneak in on their blind side and slot past keeper Vaclav Hladky from close range.

That got Lennon’s men off and running and you knew there was no way back for the Paisley side.

Suddenly, Hladky was a busy boy. He was forced to claw away an Edouard curler, beat a James Forrest header to safety then deny the winger again after he had cut in field to shoot.

Even when the Czech stopper pulled off another save to thwart Tom Rogic, you sensed it was only delaying the inevitable and that a second goal was coming.

And when it did, it was worth the admission money alone.

Griffiths collected a pass 20 yards out, cushioned it, played a clever one-two with Rogic inside the box then dinked the ball past Hladky.

It caressed the post on the way in just to make it look even better.

But this goal was the one that made you think Griff iths is ready for the international stage once again. It was now a damage limitation job for Saints in the second half.

But not only was Griffiths in the mood – Hladky had to palm a long-range effort from him round the post – Edouard now wanted in on the act.

When he received a ball with his back to goal around the penalty spot, you felt there was little danger.

But he turned Sam Foley and somehow poked the ball through the defender’s legs and into the corner of the net.

Edouard wasn’t on top form – yet he’d already grabbed an assist and a goal to help his side go three up.

Lennon could even afford to take his talisman off – but not before his strike partner hogged the headl ines by claiming his hat-trick with a trademark Griffiths finish.

Drop off the front to collect a pass, and with very little back-lift, drill it into the corner with his left foot.

Three very different goals – but every one proof that the striker has got his sharpness back.

St Mirren grafted away and at least tested Fraser Forster with shots from Tony Andreu and young MacPherson.

But Celtic were always going to have the last word and they made it five from the penalty spot.

Foley tripped sub Hatem Abd Elhamed in the box and McGregor buried the spot-kick past Hladky.