Alex Harris wary of Leigh Griffiths threat

Alex Harris: Griffiths warning. Picture: SNS

Harris is a big fan of his former team-mate having broken into the first team at Easter Road when the Celtic striker was making a name for himself on loan at Hibs.

Griffiths, 24, has been outstanding in recent weeks with last Sunday’s hat-trick in Celtic’s 3-0 win away to Dundee United taking Ronny Deila’s champions-elect a step closer to the title.

Celtic will be crowned champions this weekend should they defeat Dundee at Parkhead tonight and Aberdeen fail to win away to United the following day.

Harris, who’s on loan from Hibs until the end of the season, knows Griffiths must be stopped in his tracks if Dundee are to come away with anything from Celtic Park.

Harris said: “His talent speaks for itself. He’s brilliant on his game and has been flying for the past few weeks for Celtic.

“We know what he’s all about.James [McPake] is our centre-half and he was there at Hibs too. He was up against him last week and will be again on Friday night. We all know he’s got an abundance of talent. So we’ll have to be on the top of our game to stop him.

“I knew when he got a good run of games that the goals would come for him. He did the same at Hibs and I think he’s done that everywhere he’s been.

“I knew it was just a case of that and he’s thriving on what he can do. I didn’t know him too much away from the pitch at Hibs. I was still a young boy in the youth team and he was breaking through. He’s a good lad, I got on well with him. He wasn’t there too long but he’s a local lad and is a Hibee. I wish him all the best. I think he’s definitely up there with the best in this division.”

Dundee still harbour hopes of European qualification and are bidding to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing defeat by St Johnstone.

They will have to do without striker Greg Stewart who is suspended following his sending-off against St Johnstone but Gary Irvine and Gary Harkins are both in the squad again after injury.