Leigh Griffiths says that the hate at Ibrox often spurs him on to produce his best performances in a Celtic shirt.
The Hoops forward netted a hat-trick yesterday as Neil Lennon’s men moved into a 16 point lead at the top of the Premiership.
Next up for the champions in waiting is a trip to face second-placed Rangers, and a real chance to rubber stamp another title.
Griffiths looks in a good place to start that after his exploits against St. Mirren, as he compared Ibrox to the feeling he gets at another Premiership ground.
“I’m not sure why Ibrox brings the best out in me,” Griffiths told the Daily Record.
“But it’s the same when I go to Tynecastle.
“It seems to be a place where people hate – and I thrive on that kind of pressure.
“These are the games you always want to play in, big derby games against your rivals.
“We’re going there for another three points. We know it will be difficult because they will be fired up.
“They’ve not been playing well but they’ll want to prove a point against us.”
Griffiths should start at Ibrox
Griffiths has always been a man for the big occasion.
Who can forget his first ever goal for the club – that iconic twisting and turning strike at Tynecastle in early 2014.
That, and the number of goals he has at Ibrox, show that he should start the game against Steven Gerrard’s hapless men.
Griffiths and Edouard have undoubtedly been the biggest story of 2020 as far as Celtic are concerned, with their partnership still growing with every minute they spend on the pitch together.
Rangers have dealt pretty well with our single striker in the past two derbies, so it’s time to give them a different problem to think about.
That, and the fact Griff will feel he has a big point to prove in front of fans who mocked him at his lowest moment, should mean that starting him is a no brainer.
Would you start Leigh Griffiths at Ibrox next Sunday? Let us know below and join the discussion on our newly launched fans forum…
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