MX23RW : Thursday, July 4 13:21:55| >> :600:100279:100279:

Celtic's Leigh Griffiths turns attention to Euros place after cup final triumph

Leigh Griffiths scored in the Scottish Cup final for Celtic after coming on as a sub on Sunday.

Leigh Griffiths has the Euro 2020 finals on his mind after helping Celtic win the William Hill Scottish Cup final on Sunday.

The Hoops striker has struggled to pin down a regular place in Neil Lennon's starting line-up in this campaign after returning to pre-season training with fitness issues.

However, the 30-year-old Scotland international showed yet again what he can do when he came off the bench in extra-time against Hearts at Hampden Park with the game tied at 2-2.

Griffiths struck from close range to give Celtic the lead and although Josh Ginnelly levelled to take the match to a penalty shoot-out, the former Hibernian striker stepped up first for the Parkhead side to score from the spot before the Hoops emerged 4-3 winners.

Scotland's first qualification for a major finals since 1998 saw them drawn in Group D along with England, Croatia and the Czech Republic for a tournament delayed until next summer due to the coronavirus crisis.

Asked about Euro aspirations, Griffiths said: "It is something to look forward to in the summer but I won't be there if I don't play games and keep scoring goals.

"So from now until at least March, I want to get a good run of form and still be in Steve Clarke's plans.

"We have four strikers here all vying for the one place just now, with the formation we go with.

"It is about working hard in training and trying to make an impact when you can, if you can come off the bench.

"Hopefully I have done that and given the manager a wee bit of a headache going forward.

"He said after the game that I need to get fitter. Well that green stuff, the pitch, I need to be on that to get match fit.

"I am not unfit. I am fit. But just not match fit and you can tell. Obviously I have not had a run of games.

"Hopefully I can get a wee run now and get my fitness right back up.

"There is a difference between being fit and match fit and you need to play games to get match fit and the more minutes I get the fitter I will be.

"Luckily I have still been in squads, still been on the bench and have just been unfortunate that Patryk (Klimala) got the nod but I got the nod on Sunday and managed to make an impact so hopefully it's my turn now."

ID:427508: cacheID:427508:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3694:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic players and staff celebrate winning the Scottish Cup final on December 20, 2020
Read Next:
Five talking points from this weekend's Scottish football
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!