The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Griffiths warns Gers to bridge great divide
Forward expects Celtic to dominate once again New season:
Celtic attacker Leigh Griffiths has told Dave King he is talking nonsense after the Rangers chairman claimed the Hoops should be further ahead of his Ibrox side.
Toppling Brendan Rodgers’ rampant team proved a task beyond every Scottish club last year as the Parkhead men completed their 47-game domestic season unbeaten.
Celtic’s Invincibles wrapped up a first treble since 2001 and finished 39 points ahead of their Ibrox rivals in the Premiership.
Yet King claims Rangers’ Old Firm foes are not as far ahead as they could have been and said: “Given that we were in the wilderness for four years I don’t think Celtic did as much in that four years as they could have done.
“We are clearly behind them squad-wise but I really would expect to give them a run.”
Griffiths said: “What was the gulf, 30-odd points? How big does he expect it to be? They were touting they were going to win the league and this and that. Joey Barton was coming up to be the best player in Scotland.
“He only lasted a few months. The first game they got hammered 5-1, they got hammered 5-1 in the last game of the season. The gulf couldn’t be any bigger.
“They will be trying this season to bridge the gap but for King to come out and say we should be further ahead is ludicrous.
“Thirty-odd points is mad and if you said to somebody at the start of last season that Rangers would finish that far behind, they’d be raging.”
Griffiths was speaking at the official launch event for the new Premiership fixtures. His side will kick-off its quest for seven-in-a-row at home to Hearts on August 5.
Pedro Caixinha’s newlook Light Blues will get their first chance to prove they have cut the gap when the first Old Firm match takes place at Ibrox on September 23.
But Griffiths expects his team to dominate again. “Rangers, Aberdeen, St Johnstone – they are all tough games,” he said.
“It’s about what we do and if we’re at our best no one in Scotland can live with us. That’s the be all and end all.”
The Hoops attacker kicked off last season expecting to be Rodgers’ first choice up front having scored 40 goals in Ronny Deila’s final campaign in charge.
But a combination of injuries and the explosive introduction of Moussa Dembele left the Scotland international frustrated as he spent most of the season on the bench.
However, buoyed by his stunning free kick double in the World Cup qualifying draw against England earlier this month, Griffiths is determined to win back his place.
“First and foremost it’s all about the team but I want to be selfish as well and I’m no different to anyone else. I want to be playing week in, week out,” he said.
“I don’t like playing second fiddle but anyone who does shouldn’t be playing the game. However, I understand the manager’s decision and whatever he decides I’ll just need to take it on the chin.
“I’ve never had any doubts about my belief. Last year was frustrating because I was injured but when I did get a chance when Moussa got injured, I took it.
“This season I’m hoping to be injury-free and become even fitter, even stronger.”
“No one in Scotland can live with us. That’s the be all and end all”