LEIGH Griffiths reckons Celtic are on target to smash the 100-goal mark this season. The Scotland striker, who notched his first league goal since last November with a trademark free kick just before half time, fancies the club’s chances of hitting three figures for the first time since 2016-17, when Brendan Rodgers’ invincibles racked up 106 strikes in a campaign. With 12 in their first two games, it already seems likely they will surpass last season’s tally of 77.

“It’s possible [we’ll hit 100],” said Griffiths. “We’ve started with 12 so 88 to go. As long as we play on the front foot and create chances we have players who can put the ball in the net.

“Twelve goals in two games says we have goals throughout the team,” the striker added “We saw big Kris Ajer strolling up from right-back and it was like he was big Duncan Ferguson when he got in there! It was such a composed finish.

“Every time we got in the opposition half yesterday we looked like scoring. As long as we keep doing that, we will creating chances. We have myself, Odsonne [Edouard], Ryan [Christie], Lewis [Morgan], Sincy [Scott Sinclair] coming off the bench and James Forrest scoring again.”

The 28-year-old, whose goal yesterday was his second in successive weeks, ran off to mark the moment in front of the visiting fans. “I spoke to the goalie coach before the game and we said that if I got a free-kick on that side I would try and move it across the keeper,” said Griffiths. “It was a little bit of a daisy-cutter but they all count.

“Looking back it was probably a bit selfish from me - I should have celebrated with my team-mates," he added. "Obviously you want to celebrate with the fans but my team-mates are more important and next time I will stand still and they can come to me. They could have followed me but it’s so warm that they probably just thought he can knacker himself out.”

While his goal was a crucial contribution on the day, Griffiths admits he is still short of peak sharpness and is likely to make way for Odsonne Edouard in Tuesday night’s Champions League qualifying second leg against CFR Cluj. “I’m still a bit away,” he admitted, “but the more games I can start and play 60-80 mins the fitter I will become. I’ve probably not done enough for Tuesday. It’s up to the manager but he was probably resting Odsonne to go again. If I can contribute in any way then I will do that.”

Griffiths eulogised the contribution of Ajer, who scored a fine equaliser for his team from right back. “Does he remind me of Virgil Van Dijk?" said Griffiths. "Yeah, but I don;t think Virgil would have been happy to play right-back. You see the big man strolling up and four or five strides and he is in their penalty box!

“He’s a big character now too,” Griffiths added. “He wasn’t as chirpy when he first came in but he has a bit of banter about him now and looks the part. He gives as good as he gets. People tell him to wind his neck in because he has such a long neck. He takes it well but he gives as good as he gets.”

Posted by voc1967 on Sunday 11 August 2019 - 06:42:16 | Comments (0)  |