CELTIC midfielder Scott Allan has told Leigh Griffiths not to be too hard on himself after a wretched display against Ajax on Thursday night.

The Hoops striker passed up three chances to score against the Dutch side and keep Celtic’s chances of progression in the competition alive.

In the immediate aftermath of the game, Griffiths cut a disconsolate figure as he took full responsibility for the defeat.

But Allan, who came on in the latter stages of the game, believes that the striker has to accept it was an off night. “He’s been harsh on himself,” said Allan. “It’s a team game – you attack and defend. The goal cost us at the end and we might also have got one.

“He had a few chances but you can’t really argue with his goal record this year – he’s probably been our best player this season.”

Allan himself put in a decent cameo appearance but losing possession on the edge of the Ajax box from Celtic’s corner led to the visitors landing the sucker punch of a late goal.

It was the first time since his protracted arrival from Hibs this summer that Allan, though, showed glimpses of the potential he has. An ability to get the ball moving forward and in behind the defence was evident in the time he was on the pitch and the midfielder now has his sights set on staying fit and involved.

That Scott Brown will be sidelined for the next three months while the loss of form to Stefan Johansen should mean greater opportunities in the middle of the park and Allan is keen to make up for lost time.

“I’ve had to be patient to get in the team,” he said. “I’d a set-back with injury for six weeks and not played too much football other than a couple of bounce games here and there. That was my first proper run-out since I first moved to Celtic so hopeful, if I keep working hard, I can begin to start some games.”

There were plenty of whispers when Allan did not feature immediately in Ronny Deila’s side, and the player himself admitted that he grew weary of having to explain why he wasn’t playing.

“Every single day I’d people asking me why I wasn’t playing,” he said. “I had a grade one medial injury and came back too early so I stalled again. I was out for six weeks so my momentum kind of went. I had to get myself together, so I worked hard off the park and I’m now up and running. Hopefully I can kick on.

“ wouldn’t say it’s difficult when people are asking you every day – more annoying after a while when you find yourself answering the same question. I think it’s disappointing when you aren’t playing in any game of football because that’s what you love to do. You want to be out on the park as much as possible.

“I knew when I came here that I’d have to bide my time. Sometimes you can learn when you aren’t playing. But last year I played almost every game for Hibs so it’s not been the easiest few months. But set-backs are part of football. You just need to get on with them.”

And Allan has insisted that he needs game time now in order to get up to full match speed.

“I don’t feel sharp,” he said. “I don’t have maximum sharpness. As I said, I’ve only played a couple of bounce games in the last month or so. I’d 90 minutes against Dumbarton for Hibs at the start of the season. There’s a long way to go.

“I just need to try and get there. I feel the odd bit of sharpness here and there – as if I could do something. But unless you are playing every week, it’s hard to get that match sharpness and fitness. It usually takes two or three games before you feel quite good.

“I’d like to think there will be more opportunities now (with Scott Brown being injured). I need to keep working hard in training and when I get a chance show I can do something different.”