SCOTLAND coach Stuart McCall last night praised on-fire Leigh Griffiths for getting his act together.
The international striker was linked with a loan return to Hibs in August 2014 with his Hoops future in jeopardy.
However, there was a last-minute change of mind, Griffiths remained at Parkhead and took this season’s goal haul to 22 with his two strikes in the 3-0 Scottish Cup triumph over Stranraer.
McCall said: “You have got to give Leigh great credit.
“He has knuckled down after realising he could be going out of the club. Obviously, he has thought: ‘I’ve still got a chance here’.
“And he has taken it. Obviously, the coaching staff have helped him, but he has grasped the opportunity and he has done terrifically well this season.”
McCall also reckons Ronny Deila has a problem after the double-act of Griffiths and Carlton Cole clicked against their Division One opponents at Stair Park.
Former England hitman Cole, who agreed an 18-month deal in November after being released by West Ham in the summer, celebrated his first start for the Hoops by knocking in his first goal for the club.
But McCall doesn’t believe the success of the marksmen will automatically mean a rethink of Deila’s favoured tactics of a lone striker.
He said: “There will be some games where they will play two up front, but I wouldn’t say they will all the time because of what happened against Stranraer.
“In most home games, Celtic dominate possession and you would like to see two strikers.
“There will be times when Ronny, having seen what Griffiths and Cole can do, will know there is the basis of a partnership between the two.
“Remember, too, they’ve got Nadir Ciftci waiting to get in. To be honest, he has been disappointing since his move from Dundee United in the summer.
“But I’m sure he would like the opportunity to play alongside Griffiths, also.
“Celtic have got a lot of good No.10s to play up front with the main man.
“It’s a bit of a dilemma for Ronny, but it’s one I’m sure he will be pleased to have.”
