LEIGH GRIFFITHS danced with joy as the Celtic fans serenaded their Ibrox counterparts with a chorus of “Always look on the bright side of life.”
It was February 1 2015 and the Glasgow sides had been drawn to face each other in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Intriguingly, the Hoops’ opponents currently resided in the second flight of the Scottish League set-up, but a lot of noise had been coming from Govan.
However, the singing and dancing solely emanated from the green-and-white end of the national stadium from the 10th minute onwards following the opening goal from Leigh Griffiths.
Stefan Johansen slung in a diagonal right-wing cross and there was the crafty raider nipping in between two dithering defenders to send a glorious header soaring high past the helpless Steve Simonsen. And, Bhoy, did the Hoops hitman enjoy that goal.
ACTION REPLAY…Leigh Griffiths celebrates another League Cup semi-final success over the Ibrox side – this time in October 2016 after Moussa Dembele had scored the Hampden winner.
Kris Commons thundered in a vicious 20-yarder shortly afterwards and the tie was over before half-time. It remained 2-0 at the end and the most relieved man at the final whistle was the Ibrox caretaker manager Kenny McDowall, in charge with Ally McCoist escaping the one-sided encounter while on “gardening leave”.
Ronny Deila won his first piece of silverware when Celtic beat Dundee United by the same scoreline in the Final a month later.
The abiding memory of the confrontation, though, was the unbridled joy of Leigh Griffiths after he had put the team ahead.
That will make it even tougher for the comeback Bhoy not to be involved this afternoon – especially as he has already claimed he was born to play at Ibrox, as CQN reported a week ago today.
So, here, in a pictorial parade, is what the fans’ favourite will be forced to miss on this occasion. Enjoy!
HEAD BHOY…Leigh Griffiths leaps to nod the ball goalwards.
FLAPPING…keeper Steve Simonsen tries to claw the ball away from its destination.
JOY BHOYS…Leigh Griffiths turns away in joy with Anthony Stokes in hot pursuit.
GETTING SHIRTY…Stokes gets closer to Griffiths than the opposing defence did as they celebrate.
ALL EARS…Griffiths enjoys the sound of silence and one half of Hampden is struck dumb.
NATIONAL TREASURE…Griffiths enjoys the aftermath of his Hampden goal.
PRIZE GUYS…Griffiths and Stokes savour the breakthrough moment.
DUTCH OF CLASS…Virgil Van Dijk and Kris Commons join in to celebrate with their team-mate.
CARRY ON SMILING…Leigh Griffiths races to congratulate Moussa Dembele after the French striker’s winner in October 2016 against the same opponents.
THE EYES HAVE IT…Dembele and Griffiths lead the cheers.
HAPPY HOGMANAY…Leigh Griffiths hugs Scott Sinclair after the Englishman’s winning goal on New Year’s Eve at Ibrox in 2016.
THE LAST POST…Leigh Griffiths is Celtic’s scarf ace as he signals it’s all over for the dejected home support after the champions’ 2-1 triumph.
