I’M BORN FOR IBROX
Griffiths hits hat-trick then begs Lenny to let him loose on Rangers
Hat-trick hero Leigh Griffiths last night begged Celtic gaffer Neil Lennon to unleash him on Rangers next Sunday – because he’s BORN to play at Ibrox.
The Hoops striker looked back to his best as he hit a treble in the champions’ 5- 0 Parkhead win over St Mirren yesterday.
Griffiths is desperate to start the Old Firm game and claims he performs better at venues where he’s hated as he talked up his record against Gers in Govan.
Now, he’s praying Celtic boss Neil Lennon throws him in alongside Odsonne Edouard next week as Celtic look for a victory that would all but wrap up the Premiership title.
Griffiths said: “Am I ready for Ibrox? I was
born for Ibrox. I’ve never lost there with Celtic.
“I’ve started twice and scored twice in two wins.
“If the manager starts me – or has me on the bench to make an impact – I’ll be ready to go.
“I’m desperate to play in a game of that magnitude.
“I’m not sure why Ibrox brings the best out in me, but it’s the same when I go to Tynecastle. It seems to be a place where people hate me – I thrive on that.
“These are the games you always want to play in, big derby games.
“We’re going there for another three points. We know it will be difficult as they will be fired up and want to prove a point.
“We went to Ibrox earlier this season and dominated from start to finish to win 2- 0. Hopefully, we can replicate that next Sunday.”
Griffiths hopes his first
hat- trick since January 2016 can help him regain a place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the Euro 2020 play- off with Israel later this month.
He said: “I didn’t know it was four years since my last hat-trick, but taking the match ball home is always good and I just wanted to put myself in contention for the Rangers game.
“Everyone could see how well myself and Odsonne linked up with us both getting on the scoresheet.
“There’s definitely more to come from me.
“Steve hasn’t been in touch but if I’m in the squad I’ll be buzzing. I’ll have sent him a message with the goals today.”
Meanwhile, gaffer Neil Lennon revealed skipper Scott Brown got a painkilling injection to help him play through a toe injury but is now fully fit.
Lennon said: “He had one injection a few weeks ago. The injury settled down and he’s had a run of games now and is playing great.”