Ronny Deila has challenged Leigh Griffiths to become Celtic’s modern-day Henrik Larsson.
Deila reckons the Hoops haven’t had a consistent goalscorer in Europe since the Swedish superstar’s record-breaking seven-year period at Parkhead from 1997-2004.
Deila has belief Griffiths who is the club’s top scorer on 19 goals this season can take on that mantle and fire the team through the Euro qualifiers this summer and into the Champions League.
As he prepared for today’s game at Aberdeen, Deila said: “I’m after improvement in different areas and I have spoken to Leigh. He has been very positive in every way and has been getting his rewards through goals. The next stage for Leigh is can he do it in Europe?
“I can’t remember a goalscorer at Celtic for a number of years who scored goals consistently in Europe, you maybe have to go back to Henke Larsson.
“He was unbelievable. So, scoring in Europe has to be the target.
“Leigh has had much more playing time in recent months. He is more comfortable and more confident. He has been doing a lot of good things and working in the right way.
“He also hasn’t been any problem to me off the pitch. Well, maybe apart from eating a cake! That’s been the worst thing!
“In my time, he hasn’t been singing in the pub or doing things that are not good. I trust him. I really believe he can do it in European football.”
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