‘Frustrated’ Griffiths issues timely reminder

Leigh Griffiths reminded Celtic fans of his scoring prowess against Inverness on Saturday but patience is currently his key asset.

The Hoops striker notched 40 goals last season but has played second-fiddle to in-form Moussa Dembele in recent months, with most of his game-time coming as a sub.

Boss Brendan Rodgers started them both against the Highlanders and the Scotland international scored his first goal in nine appearances for club and country in a home 3-0 Ladbrokes Premiership win.

Griffiths acknowledged Dembele’s form – the 20-year-old French striker has scored 16 goals in 24 appearances – but will be ready to be called upon again when he comes back from the international break.

“It’s been frustrating but it’s a team game and I need to wait my turn,” he said.

Griffiths has also been mostly a bench player for Scotland and can only hope his goal, a close-range drive in 64 minutes after Inverness keeper Owain Fon Williams had parried a drive from Dembele, caught the eye of Scotland boss Gordon Strachan ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley.

The 26-year-old said: “It’s always nice to score before an international game, but if you’re asking me if it’s enough to get me into the starting XI then I’d say probably not.

“That’s not my decision to make, that’s down to Mr Strachan and what system he prefers to go with.”

Inverness held out until just after the break when Scott Sinclair opened the scoring and Griffiths made it 2-0 from close range before substitute Tom Rogic added a third, by which time visiting midfielder Greg Tansey had been dismissed for picking up two yellow cards.

Scott Brown, who recently reversed his international retirement, could still miss out on the Auld Enemy clash after going off injured.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said: “It looked like the top of his foot; when he came off he said his foot was numb, so I think he has obviously taken a fair whack because he doesn’t come off easily so we will need to wait and see.

“The medical team here or at Scotland will decide whether he is fit to play or not.”