*** ----> Griffiths grabs opportunity to shine for Celtic | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Griffiths grabs opportunity to shine for Celtic

Glasgow : Celtic's Leigh Griffiths says he's determined to end the season on a high after a frustrating campaign for the Scottish striker.

This time last season the 26-year-old was celebrating picking up the Player of the Year award after banging in 40 goals for the Hoops.

Fast forward 12 months and the former Wolves forward has been relegated to second choice striker after an injury-hit season and the scintillating form of summer signing Moussa Dembele.

With the French forward ruled out with a hamstring injury, Griffiths seized his opportunity and scored a superb strike in the 5-1 demolition of Old Firm rivals Rangers last weekend in what was his first start of 2017.

Now the striker is desperate to make the most of his chance in the final four Scottish Premiership matches of the season -- starting on Saturday when the champions host St Johnstone -- before attempting to fire Celtic to a domestic treble when they face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final at the end of the month.

Griffiths is also in pole position to face England in a World Cup qualifier on June 10 at Hampden and the striker is keen to prove himself in big occasions.

"From my point of view I have five cup finals. Last week I scored a good goal, played well and was involved in a lot of decent things but the main objective is to get minutes, play as well as I can and get into the cup final team," the Celtic striker said.

"Then I've got another big game for Scotland in June and I want to be firing on all cylinders for that.

"I don't want to be thrown into a big game and bottle it. You want to go in and prove you are worthy of being there, whether that's here or somewhere else. If there is a big game go and show yourself.

"I proved that on Saturday when there was a massive crowd and pressure to go and beat Rangers. We did that and I showed I can still score goals.

"This season we still have the treble to aim for.

"I've been to two Scottish Cup Finals and lost out both times so hopefully it's third time lucky this season. It was nice to watch Hibs win last season and they deserved it on the day.

"But this is our chance to shine and hopefully we can get the last piece of the treble."