‘TIME TO BE POSITIVE,’ GRIFFITHS

The Hoops have suffered two massive disappointments after toppling out of the Champions League to Malmo in Sweden and collapsing 2-1 to 10-man Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Griffiths said: “Ajax is a big game for us, a really big test. We will go there after losing at Aberdeen and I am sure the manager will talk to us about what comes next and we will kick-on again.

“There is no point in us dwelling on Saturday’s result. That won’t do us any good. We have got to go again on Thursday and in the Premiership as well. There are a lot of games coming thick and fast and we need to start winning them.

“Everyone was disappointed at Aberdeen. I am sure the fans were. We can’t look back on it, we need to get the spirits up and look forward to Thursday. Hopefully, we can go over there and put on a performance for them.

“I hope the supporters will be able to talk about that game rather than what happened at Aberdeen.”

On a personal level, manager Ronny Deila could do with a good result in the Dutch capital against an Ajax side who are favourites, but no world-beaters.

Griffiths said: “I don’t think it is about performance. It is about us getting off to a good start in the group stages.

“Ajax are not going to be easier opposition than Aberdeen, I think it’s fair to say. However, we will go there and do our best to get a positive result.

“We did that away to Qarabag and, hopefully, we can replicate that performance rather than seeing a repeat of the one at Malmo.

“I feel it’s really important to have a good European season now. It was so disappointing to get knocked out of the Champions League, but we have a chance to make up for it.

“This is a Champions League group in all but name. So, we are going to go for it and do everything we can to take something from the game.”