‘ONLY EIGHTY-EIGHT TO GO,’ GRIFF BACKS TON-UP BHOYS

IT took Celtic seven games last season to hit seven Premiership goals.

Scott Sinclair’s cheeky back-heel winner against Aberdeen at Parkhead on September 29 added to the six previous strikes against Livingston (3-1), Hamilton Accies (1-0), Newco Rangers (1-0) and Kilmarnock (1-2).

Blanks were also fired in the 1-0 loss against Hearts at Tynecastle and the 0-0 stalemate against St Mirren in Paisley.

It took Neil Lennon’s team a mere 86 minutes to equal last term’s scoring feat when comeback Bhoy Leigh Griffiths zipped in the final effort in the 7-0 triumph over St Johnstone on Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow.

And the Scotland international striker, who claimed his second league goal of 2019 in the 5-2 rout of Motherwell at Fir Park yesterday, believes the Hoops’ firing squad is on course to rampage their way to become Celtic Centurians this time out and eclipse the 77 claimed in the previous campaign when the team picked up its eighth successive title.

ON TARGET…Leigh Griffiths has made a welcome scoring return.

Griffiths was joined on the mark against Well by the impressive Kristoffer Ajer, James Forrest, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard as the Hoops hitmen took the total to 12 after only two games.

The 28-year-old marksman, speaking to the Sunday Mail, said: “It’s possible we could score over 100 goals this season.

“We’ve started with 12 in two games – so we’ve only EIGHTY-EIGHT to go. As long as we play on the front foot and create chances, we’ve players who can put the ball in the net.

“We can get more than the 77 from last season because every time we get in the opposition half we look like scoring.

“We have myself, Odsonne, Ryan and James Forrest scoring again.

“Even big Kris strolled up from right-back – he was like Duncan Ferguson when he got there! It was such a composed finish.”

Griffiths celebrated with the travelling support after his trademark free-kick had sizzled beyond the reach of the scrambling Mark Gillespie to put the champions ahead at half-time.

He added: “Looking back, it was selfish from me. Obviously, you want to go to the fans, but my team-mates are more important, so next time I’ll stand and they can come to me.

“I’m still a bit away from full fitness, but the more games I start and get 60 to 80 minutes under my belt, the better I’ll become.”