Leigh can’t wait to hear the music
LEIGH GRIFFITHS doesn’t mind that he will have to hang on to see if he makes Celtic’s side to face Manchester City on Wednesday night.
As the Scotland striker internationalist acknowledges, given he has already waited years to become a Champions League striker, another couple of days can’t hurt.
While his haul of five goals in six qualifying games more than advertised Griffiths’ readiness to step up to the competition proper, a calf strain forced him to miss the mouthwatering trip to face Barcelona in the Nou Camp.
Now fit again, he knows with Moussa Dembele among the goals in his absence he could have to settle for a supporting role, yet insists it has done nothing to dampen his enthusiasm.
“There was no one more disappointed than me sitting in the house watching us play Barca because I wished I’d been there helping the boys out,” said the Celt.
“So the visit of Manchester City will potentially be a huge moment for me.
“I say that because you want to be involved in any Champions League game. Whether it be Barcelona away or Man City at home or Borussia Monchengladbach away or home.
“Whether I’m starting or on the bench, I’ll be chomping at the bit to get involved.
“To walk out with the Champions League music playing, in front of a full house, has got to be special.
“But, of course, Moussa has come in and shown he is a very good player. His hat-trick against Rangers was ideal, exactly what everyone wanted to see.
“So while I want to pick up where I left off, I know it will be about biding my time.”
Whether or not he gets a run out, Griffiths intends to try to learn from the performance of City’s star forward, Sergio Aguero.
“For me, Aguero’s one of the top two strikers in the world, alongside Luis Suarez. I don’t really class Messi and Ronaldo as out-and-out strikers,” he said.
“He has got everything as a player, he can head, he can run, he’s got a great first touch, he’s strong, and scores all different type of goals.
“Clearly we’re going to have to be at our very best to get something from the game. But stranger things have happened at Celtic Park under the floodlights in the Champions League – just remember the win over Barcelona four years ago.”
Leigh Griffiths.