Griffiths back among the goals as Celtic win in Perth

Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths made a goal-scoring return to Premiership action as Celtic won in Perth.

Two late goals secured a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone that puts the Hoops back to the top of the table.

The home side looked as though they had done enough to hold out for a draw before Griffiths popped up with a header in the 90th minute.

Fellow substitute Patryk Klimala then secured the win three minutes into stoppage time with the game’s second goal.

Australian star Tom Rogic also made a long awaited return to action with the champions searching for winner.

The playmaker came on alongside Griffiths with 14 minutes left on the clock.

Skipper Scott Brown, who was handed a rare rest, was introduced to the action on the 82nd minute as Celtic made a total of five substitutions.

The three points were enough to put Neil Lennon’s men two points clear of second placed Rangers, with both clubs on the same amount of games.

However the Ibrox side have the chance to go back top again later today when they play Ross County at 3pm.

Lennon, who described the first half of the Premiership encounter as “all fur coat and no underwear”, praised his returning frontman.

He said: “I know what I have got with him. I was disappointed with the way he came back (from pre-season) and then he picked up an injury.

“We’ve been patient with him but he knows what I think of him as a player.

“That was Leigh Griffiths in a nutshell.

“Towards the end we started putting real quality into the box early but we were too passive in the first half.

“Leigh was unlucky with the one Ryan Christie put in and Hatem put over a great cross and he buried the header.

“That’s what he does. We don’t take that for granted with him, but that’s a great start to his season.”

Odsonne Edouard, who has been linked with a series of clubs during the transfer window including Aston Villa and Arsenal, was taken off in the second half.

The Celtic boss believes the Frenchman has more to offer.

He said: “I think he has about three or four more gears to come.

“Again, I was disappointed with his performance. He needs to settle down.
“Hopefully after tomorrow he will.

“I can’t speculate but I think it’s apparent it’s been affecting him.

“He’s a brilliant player but we are just not seeing the best of him at the moment.

“Hopefully he’ll calm down once the window shuts and come good for us.”
Asked if West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass could be an option for Celtic before the transfer window closes on Monday, Lennon said: “I’m not talking about any speculation.

“You could throw any number of names at me but we are working on one or two things and hopefully we can accomplish that.”