Leigh Griffiths focused on promotion with Wolves

Leigh Griffiths: Wolves double. Picture: PA

However, the Scotland striker is simply content to have struck his first competitive goals for Wolverhampton Wanderers as he attempts to make the most of the chance to prosper in English football at the second attempt.

Griffiths collected a double in Wolves’ 4-0 victory over Gillingham at the weekend and scored the first just five minutes into his league debut at Molineux, where he has been given another chance to shine after Kenny Jackett became the club’s latest manager in the summer.

Jackett’s determination for Griffiths to spearhead Wolves’ League One promotion push after successive demotions meant Hibs were left frustrated in their hopes to sign the forward on a permanent contract.

Instead, Wolves activated the option they had to keep the striker for another year and last week Griffiths signed a new two-year deal. Now he is setting his sights on tomorrow night’s friendly clash with England at Wembley in what are thrilling times for the player, who turns 23 next week. It is certainly preferable to the uncertainty he felt at the end of last season, after scoring 28 times while on loan at Hibs. His last appearance for the club he supports came in the disappointing Scottish Cup final defeat by Celtic in May.

“I didn’t even know where I was standing at the end of last season,” he said. “All I knew was that my last game for Hibs was going to be the cup final. And then I got the call to come down here and the new manager got appointed just before that.

“He [Jackett] gave me a phone and said: ‘you are in my plans. I want you to come back and try and do well for us and get yourself in the team’. Thankfully I have done that.”

Asked whether in his heart of hearts he wanted to remain with Hibs, he said: “That was not up to me. It was between Hibs and Wolves to see if they could thrash out a deal. But obviously it was not meant to be. I am back at Wolves now and I am happy.”

Hibs’ loss is very much Wolves’ gain and the benefits were clear to see on Saturday as Griffiths opened his account for the season with a first-time volley. He later scored with a penalty. The following day, Hibs fell to a 1-0 defeat by Hearts, and have still to score a goal in four competitive games this season. It was suggested to Griffiths yesterday that Hibs could have done with his presence at Tynecastle, where he scored a memorable 30-yard free-kick in a 2-1 win for Hibs in May.

“Yes they could have done,” he replied. “It was not the best game from both teams. It is one of those games where Hearts wanted it more I think.”

Griffiths is not thinking about the past. Not when the future looks so exciting. He is now in line to lead the Scotland attack against England, against whom he has played only once before, in an Under-19 international. However, this is a different level altogether. Over 80,000 will be in attendance at Wembley.

Asked whether he will feel comfortable in the environment, he shrugged. “It is a game you have to thrive on. It is a great occasion. Scotland v England games don’t come around too often. You have to embrace it.”