LEIGH Griffiths hit his fifth goal of 2020, and his seventh of the season so far, in this afternoon’s 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Paradise. The striker said he’s naturally pleased to be among the goals, but admitted contributing in any way he can is his foremost aim.

The 29-year-old bagged the Hoops’ third of the afternoon, to score his first goal at home since Flag Day in August. Griffiths didn’t travel to Copenhagen for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League first leg through injury, but is now raring to go ahead of the return fixture.

“I was obviously disappointed to miss Thursday, but it was a precautionary thing more than anything,” he said. “I’m delighted to be back in the starting XI and contributing to the team and scoring goals. The resilience we showed today, and the reaction we showed after going one down, we knew we’d get chances and it was about putting them away.

“I’m feeling good. That’s my first goal at home since August, so scoring today was a relief. I’m happy to contribute in any way I can, but just being back involved at all has been brilliant. Hopefully that can continue for a long time.”

Results elsewhere today mean the 3-1 win over Kilmarnock extends the champions’ lead at the top of the Premiership to 12 points. Still, Griffiths said that he and his team-mates focus exclusively on their own game.

In doing so, Neil Lennon’s men have won 10 domestic games in-a-row, and now target a place in the last 16 of European competition for the first time since 2013.

Griffiths added: “The results elsewhere had no effect on us at all. We go about our business, try and get three points and then worry about other results elsewhere after the game. Thankfully we scored three goals and we really could have had more.

“We’ve got a never-say-die attitude in this team, and we just keep going from the first minute to the 90th minute. We’re relentless in everything we do, be it at training or on the pitch – and that’s really starting to show.

“Today, we had Broony, James and Olly all missing, but we’ve got players who can come straight in and put in a good performance. We’ve got great depth in this squad. That’s testament to the manager and all the guys behind the scenes, keeping everyone on their toes and working hard.

“Now, we look to Thursday, when we’ve got a massive chance to qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League.”

Leigh Griffiths: Never-say-die attitude is reflected in fine form