Celtic's Leigh Griffiths says playing boyhood club Hibs is 'no different' and Kevin Nisbet will be 'Scotland star'

There has never been any attempt from Leigh Griffiths to hide his affection for boyhood club Hibs across his seven years at Celtic.

Leigh Griffiths, in his last Hibs game, applauds fans at full time of the 2013 Scottish Cup final lost to future club Celtic. (Photo by Sammy Tuner/SNS Group)

Yet, despite having once said it could feel awkward playing them, ahead of the club’s latest meeting the striker says now that isn’t the case. And Griffiths scoffs at the idea personal allegiance could be a factor in his strike-rate in games with the Easter Road men – he has scored only once in six such encounters – being lower than against any other top flight side he has started against. He has yet to do that only against another former club in the form of Livingston, the one current Premiership team with which he has still to open his account for Celtic.

“It doesn't feel different [playing Hibs] – it’s just that I’m normally injured when we play them!” Griffiths said. “Listen, you have players that are good goal scorers but they have that enigma team. But just because I played with Hibs and Livingston doesn’t mean anything to me.

“My job is to score goals for Celtic and I try my best. A couple of seasons ago when we played Hibs we beat them once in the league and I was the one who scored the winning goal. Funnily enough I got injured in that game as well. It’s just another game for me. No matter who the opposition is, I want to try and pay as many games as I can and score as many goals as I can.”

The challenge presented by Jack Ross’ men will lean heavily on a striker in the form of Kevin Nisbet, who Griffiths is in no doubt can go make the breakthrough to the Scotland national team to which the Celtic forward has returned this season. “I think he’s done well since he came to the Premiership,” said Griffiths. “He’s a good player who I’ve seen on a number of occasions. He’s strong, can hold the ball up and is quick. So, yeah, I’ve no doubt he’ll be a Scotland star. Him and [Christian] Doidge have got a good partnership and seem to link up really well. They’ll be a threat, as will others. We need to be on the ball to keep them out.”

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