Leigh Griffiths helped Celtic on their way to a fifth successive league title and then immediately lit the touchpaper for next season’s title race after telling prospective challengers to “come ahead.” Asked what his message would be for anyone who wishes to take Ladbrokes Premiership title from Celtic next term, his reply was simple: “Come ahead!” he said. “We were disappointing against Rangers and everybody said our bubble was burst but to come to a venue like this and dominate like we did speaks volumes.
“The gaffer will be buzzing tonight and we will have a good couple of days and we look forward to next Sunday. Everybody will improve next season. We will improve, I’m sure Aberdeen will strengthen their squad. Hearts will strengthen their squad and Rangers coming up can only benefit the league and Hibs could still come up as well so the league will be stronger next season but we will hopefully be champions at the end of next season and that will be six.”
Meanwhile, the striker was irked at the suggestion he could have been off the park immediately before he found the net in the latter stages of the game. John Souttar, whom Griffiths’ nutmegged on his way to scoring a fine solo goal, had clashed with the Celtic player and there was a suggestion that Griffiths had aimed a sly kick at the Hearts defender in the process. Both players were booked for the incident with Souttar later describing the clash as little more than “handbags”. Griffiths did not take kindly to suggestions that there was anything untoward in the incident.
“What game were you watching?” he said. “I stood still and never moved. As soon as I came down, my feet were planted. He was the one holding my leg. You must have your Stevie Wonder glasses on. I asked the ref what I got booked for and he said I was overly aggressive but you can quite clearly see on TV that I have stood still and he was the one grabbing me.”
And Griffiths was also keen to pay tribute to Ronny Deila who will leave the club at the end of the season. “He deserves this,” said the striker. “He has been nothing but positive even when things weren’t going our way. He always tried to look on the brightside and today typifies that. We stuck together as a team and got the result in the end.”
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