‘GRIFFITHS DESERVES MORE CREDIT’ AMBROSE

EFE AMBROSE is refusing to rate 54-goal Leigh Griffiths alongside Gary Hooper and Co.

The Nigerian defender has played in the same team as some of the club’s top marksmen since arriving from Israeli outfit Ashdod in the summer of 2012.

Ambrose is a fan of the frontman who netted the fourth hat-trick of his Hoops career in the 8-1 demolition of Hamilton this week.

Griffiths is now zeroing in on 30 goals after bringing this season’s haul to 27 with his trio against Accies at Parkhead.

However, the versatile defender admitted: “I don’t want to compare him with other Celtic strikers.

“What I can say, though, is that he is the man right now. Obviously, he is bang on form.

“Certainly, I don’t think he has been given the credit for what he has achieved over the past two seasons.”

Ambrose believes Ronny Deila’s men are on the fast track to the domestic treble and thinks the opposition will find it difficult to catch them as they set the pace.

The 27-year-old international said: “When we are at our best, no team can handle the pace or the talent we have.

“We realise we have to keep the tempo high and no team can live with that.

“It’s the way the gaffer wants us to play. Of course, we play as a team, as a unit and that is massive for us.”

Ambrose has deputised in central defence in the last four games in place of the injured Dedryck Boyata.

The team have won all four, conceded only two goals and scored 16 while he has played alongside Jozo Simunovic during that period.

The signing of Danish international Erik Sviatchenko from FC Midtjylland this week, will bring even more competition for the central defensive berths.

But Ambrose welcomes the challenge. He added: “The gaffer has the final say and when he calls upon me, I only want to do my best.

“No matter who is playing, Celtic are a family and we always support each other.”