IN-FORM Leigh Griffiths is driven by the belief that one poor performance could cost him his Celtic place.

The 24-year-old former Wolves striker scored his third goal in four games against Dundee at Dens Park to set the visitors on their way to a comfortable 2-0 win and a place in today's William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final draw, where they will be joined by Rangers' conquerors, Raith Rovers, Dundee United, Hibs, Queen of the South, Falkirk, Inverness Caley and Spartans or Berwick.

It was the sixth start in a row for the Scotland international, who was on the periphery of Ronny Deila's team earlier in the season.

John Guidetti, Stefan Scepovic and, at times, Anthony Stokes were ahead of him in the pecking order for the main striker's role and there was speculation linking Griffiths with a January transfer window move to Hibs, for whom he had two successful loan spells while a Molineux player.

However, while currently the man in possession, the former Livingston and Dundee player, who joined the Parkhead club on a four-year deal just over a year ago, is certainly not taking his place for granted.

"I was delighted with my goal because the only way I'm going to stay in the team is by doing that," he said. "That's why I was brought to the club and I'm in a good vein of form.

"I need to keep it going, though, because I know that one bad performance and I could be out.

"It only takes one bad game. I know I have John Guidetti and Stefan Scepovic breathing down my neck wanting the jersey.

"I had to wait when they were in the team so I don't want to drop out again. I work hard every day in training and when I'm selected I'll run myself into the ground to stay there."

The Parkhead club, top of the Premiership and facing Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup Final at Hampden next month, are on course for an historic

domestic treble.

Deila claimed the win over Dundee was as good a display as he had witnessed from his team since taking over from Neil Lennon in the summer, certainly in terms of work-rate, although he claimed there was "still more to go".

Griffiths admits he is benefiting from the Norwegian's fitness philosophy.

"I'm as fit as I've been in my career, we work at a high tempo every day in training," he said. "And it shows on a Saturday because we're able to press for 90 minutes.

"We keep the ball and can hurt teams. You are seeing the best of us now."

Dundee manager Paul Hartley had no complaints about the defeat and noted the improvement in Celtic since the 1-1 draw at Dens Park last August.

The former Celtic midfielder said: "They look as if they are on top of their game. They have very good players with the likes of Griffiths; good attacking options. They have certainly raised their game since last August."