SENSATIONAL Leigh Griffiths held back the tears at Celtic Park last night after curling a 25 yard free kick, just like the two he famously scored against England at Hampden, into the top of the Nomme Kalju net.
For Celtic the goal was important but for Griffiths himself, this was his first competitive goal in eight long months and after all that he has been through on a personal level, his emotions almost got the better of him as Celtic Park erupted in joyous celebrations for the scorer as much as our team’s increased advantage over the Estonian Champions who were effectively dismissed from the Champions League by a green and white tide last night.
Afterwards a delighted Leigh Griffiths spoke to the media about that goal and how he felt as he ran to celebrate with the support.
“I think you could tell how much I enjoyed it by my reaction. Words can’t actually describe how good a feeling it was when the ball hit the back of the net,” Leigh said to the media as reported by Scottish Sun.
“My kids were watching back home and I had friends in the stand. I was close to crying, I’m not going to lie.
“It was up there with the England moments, if I am honest – right at the very top. I had a good feeling when it left my foot and Bainy said he was looking from behind and that it was in as soon as it went over the wall.
“A lot of things went through my mind. So much hard work has been put in, not just by me but the backroom staff and everyone connected with myself. People have worked so hard with me to get me back on the pitch and I can’t score goals without my team.
“That’s was a bit of payback for all that and it’s just the start. That’s me up and running for the season and hopefully there is a lot more to come.
“I think my last goal for Celtic was a free-kick away to Hamilton and it was nice to get another one. I would have taken a one-yard tap-in if I was honest. I was delighted to get back on the scoresheet.
“I tried a free-kick earlier that didn’t quite come off. I think big Jozo said before I took that if this gets over the wall it goes in. As I celebrated, he said ‘I told you so.’
“Again, a big thank-you to my team-mates because without them, the manager, the coaching staff and everyone connected with the club, I wouldn’t be back out on the pitch.”
Also on The Celtic Star…
Celtic 5 Nomme Kalju 0 – ‘This was a brilliant performance with some cracking goals,’ David Potter…see HERE.
Celtic 5 Nomme Kalju 0 – Griffiths Back with a Bang, it’s 5 going on 10…Niall J’s excellent match report from last night, read it HERE.
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