COMEBACK Bhoy Leigh Griffiths has apologised to the Kilmarnock fan involved in the flashpoint in Celtic’s 3-1 Premiership win at Rugby Park last week.
The Hoops frontman, who scored his third goal in four games in the 3-0 success at St Johnstone on Wednesday, admitted he was “stupid” to throw his sock tape at the supporter following being targeted for abuse after coming off late in the game.
The incident sparked a row involving a home follower and some of Griffiths’ colleagues on the substitutes’ bench, with stewards getting involved.
The 29-year-old Scotland international, speaking to Sky Sports News, said: “I think it got blown out of proportion.
“I was getting a bit of abuse and I shouldn’t have thrown the tape. It was stupid of me.
“But it’s water under the bridge now. I am trying to keep my head up and look forward.
“Any player that gets stick, it is hard to block it out. It was so close to the bench, the tape was in my hand and it was just a quick reaction.
“But I want to apologise to the guy. It wasn’t nice and I wouldn’t like it done to me. I want to apologise and draw a line under it.”
Asked if he had a chance of being included in Steve Clarke’s Scotland plans for the crucial Euro 2020 semi-final against Israel on March 26, Griffiths answered: “It’s too far away. I am just concentrating on hopefully getting picked again on Sunday against Hamilton.
“Listen, it will be a nice bonus if I am in the squad and get the chance to play again, but it’s still a couple of months away.
“As long as I am performing on the pitch and doing well for Celtic, then hopefully I will be in contention, but that’s not up to me, it’s up to the manager of Scotland.
“He was at the Kilmarnock game last week, so hopefully I did enough to impress him, but, if not, I will keep working hard and doing what I can do for Celtic.
“I can only do my job for Celtic and see what happens for March.”
