Griffiths 'ready to go' if called upon for Scotland

Leigh Griffiths says he is “ready to go” if called upon to help Scotland qualify for Euro 2020.

The national team take on Israel at Hampden at the end of this month before a winner takes all clash away to Norway or Serbia should they beat the Israelis.

Griffiths has made a return to form with Celtic since the turn of the year and while he says remaining in Neil Lennon’s first team is his main priority in the short term he would love nothing more than to return the international fold that he deems the “pinnacle of his career”.

He said: “I’m just concentrating on playing well for Celtic and try to get my fitness up as much as I can.

“When the Scotland squad gets announced and I am in then great, if not then I just keep my head down and work hard.

“It is the pinnacle of your career to be selected for your country so again if I am selected I will be absolutely delighted and I will work hard in training to make sure I am in that starting eleven but I have got a big job to do first at Celtic.”

The 29-year-old will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Tartan Army after two free-kick goals against England in 2017.

So much so that the forward is regularly reminded of them to this day.

He said: “You are always getting people coming up to you in the street and thanking you for those two goals against England.

“But for me personally the aim was always to get back into this first team and I was a long way away from that about a year ago.

“The fact I have came on so much and got myself back involved is a testament to myself but I also have to give my team mates a massive thank you because if it wasn’t for them them, and the coaching staff and manager, I wouldn’t be here.”

Griffiths, who has 19 Scotland caps but yet to feature under Steve Clarke, believes the fact Neil Lennon has shown faith in him proves he is at a good enough level to return to the international fold.

He said: “If I wasn’t at a decent level then I wouldn’t be playing here so I think that shows that I am ready to go.

“But again it’s not up to my gaffer here it is up to Mr Clarke if he wants to select me and get me involved.

“The two games coming up for Scotland are massive and we have a chance to become the first team in more than 20 years to reach a major final but it will be two tough games and we will need to negotiate them and play well.”