NINE years ago today, Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths was hailed as a national treasure.
The little hitman had just fired two spectacular long-range free-kicks behind future Hoops keeper Joe Hart in a rousing 2-2 stalemate in the World Cup qualifier at a packed Hampden.
The Scots, managed by Gordon Strachan and captained by Scott Brown, were on their verge of their first win over the Auld Enemy since 1999, but their hopes were scuppered when Harry Kane levelled in stoppage-time.
Griffiths’ stunning deadball double in quick succession looked to have done the trick before the prolific Spurs marksman left Craig Gordon helpless with a close-range strike.
SEEING DOUBLE…Leigh Griffiths fires in two spectacular free-kicks (above and below) in the 2-2 draw in the World Cup qualifier with England at Hampden on June 10 2017.
After the game, the Celtic forward couldn’t disguise his disappointment as told BBC viewers: “I’m gutted. I should be absolutely delighted, getting two goals, Man of the Match, and walking in here with three points.
“But one lapse of concentration has cost us in the end and instead of getting three points we got one.
“They put a ball in, it’s very deep, and nine times out of 10 it probably runs out of play, but Harry Kane’s there, does what he does best and puts it away to give them a valuable point.
“I’m not going to talk about being low. I think we got a great point against a very good England side who will no doubt be going to the World Cup.”
Continuing the Celtic connection from 2017, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain opened the scoring with a drive that left Gordon helpless.
GUTTED…Leigh Griffiths is downcast at the final whistle.
Griffiths, at the age of 26, was celebrating his first goals for his country in his 13th appearance.
The former Livingston, Wolves and Hibs frontman revealed he spoke with Hart after the final whistle.
Griffiths added: “He said I caught him a bit off-guard with the first one and the second one he said he couldn’t get near.
“It’s nice to put a free-kick past a guy of Joe Hart’s stature.”
Alas, Griffiths’ double couldn’t help his nation reach the soccer showpiece in Russia in 2018 with the Scots once again failing to qualify for the twentieth consecutive year.
