Leigh Griffiths insists Celtic showed their character to shrug off recent criticism and reach the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup.

The champions had come under fire after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock confirmed the Hoops’ worst start to a league season in 20 years.

Griffiths passed up three good chances in the quarter-final clash with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park but with seven minutes remaining he pounced from close range after a James Forrest header had been blocked to fire in for a 1-0 win.

The 28-year-old, who has scored in three consecutive matches, said: “There’s been a lot of talk that there’s a divide in the camp but we want to show everyone that we’re still united and we’re moving together as one.

“Everyone loses games and the manner that we lost the game on Sunday wasn’t great.

“It’s about how we bounce back from bad results and the boys have that ability to do that and go and show why we’re a top team.

“We might not play the best football at times but we always show our character and we’ve bounced back with another clean sheet.

“We’re never going to batter teams six or seven-nil. If you ask the manager he’ll take 1-0 every week as long as we keep on winning.

“Sunday was a blip and St Johnstone lost as well so they wanted to come into this game and show what they’re all about.

“This is always a difficult place to come but we kept the ball really well. It’s all about the scoreline at the end of the day.

“You can have all the possession you want but you need to win games.”

Griffiths’ winner took his tally for the season to five and the former Hibernian and Wolves striker consigned his previous misses to history.

He said: “As a striker you’re going to miss chances but you need to be there to miss them.

“I just need to keep plugging away and when more chances come my way I need to try and take them.

“Thankfully I put one away. I should have got couple more but thankfully we got the win.

“As a striker you’re going to be judged on goals and as long as I’m putting the ball in the back of the net I’m doing my job.

“It’s always nice to win, that’s the most important thing and we got into the next round.”

The semi-final paired Celtic with Hearts and Griffiths said: “Hearts will be a difficult game . They’re doing well and they’re top of the league.

“They’ve shown why they’re top of the league because they’re a good side.

“We’ll need to bring our A game to get into the final.”