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

:Headline: Celtic's Leigh Griffiths turns attention to Euros place after cup final triumph: ID:427508: from db_amp
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."

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718
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