LEIGH GRIFFITHS explained the reason for running the length of the park to hold up a T-shirt with ‘RIP Kieran’ and the number 13 on it after he scored the opening goal in the 4-1 win over Aberdeen at Parkhead yesterday.
The striker thundered in a ferocious drive from outside the box before racing to the other side of the pitch behind new Bhoy Dorus de Vries’ goal to make his gesture.
It was in tribute to teenage Celtic fan Kieran McDade who died while training with his local team in Coatbridge last week.
Griffiths said: “I was going to put it behind the other goal, but it was a fitting tribute going behind our goal and, thankfully, I scored in the 13th minute, the boy’s age.
“It is a real shame for the family. They came into the reception and I have to give the gaffer and everyone credit for allowing that to happen before the game.
“They met the manager and a few players and they managed to enjoy the game and, hopefully, the wee man is up in the sky looking down and smiling that we got three points.”
James Forrest, Scott Sinclair (penalty) and Tom Rogic scored the other goals in a Parkhead power show that left last season’s Premiership runners-up well beaten.
Griffiths was replaced in the 57th minute by Moussa Dembele and is now doubtful for Scotland’s opening World Cup-tie in Malta a week tonight with a thigh strain.
