Ronny Deila has told Leigh Griffiths that he can be as good as any of the Celtic legends.

The striker hit his 50th and 51st goals for the club in last night’s 4-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice – eclipsing the record set by Charlie Nicholas who took 62 starts to achieve the same feat, to Griffiths’ 60.

And Deila believes that the striker has every chance to write his name alongside the Celtic greats.

“He’s just signed a five-year deal so he has time,” he said. “If he keeps on scoring like this he has a good chance to become a club legend.

“When you think of big names like Henrik Larsson, John Hartson and Charlie Nicholas – and how Leigh has scored 50 goals quicker than them – then it shows he has a big opportunity now to put down a big mark in Celtic’s history.

“He is a very good ambassador for hard work.”

And Deila was as effusive of the player’s attitude as he was about the 51 goals, 24 of which have come this season.

“I’m just delighted the way he’s playing for us,” said the Norwegian. “It’s not just his goalscoring it’s his hard work that’s so impressive.

“Since the first time I saw him there’s been a big, big improvement. His physical shape has got better and better and he has so much confidence now.

“He suits out style of play because he wants to run and he wants to chase. He starts our pressure from the front.”

Griffiths, meanwhile, believes he has a way to go before he can be mentioned in the same breath as some of the regal company that has gone before him at Celtic.

But he is adamant that he can keep scoring goals – with 30 this season his immediate target.

“To score 50 goals at such a big club is special,” said Griffiths. “It is massive. But I couldn’t score all of these goals if it wasn’t for the guys round about me and the chances they create for me. So it is testimony to them.

“To get mentioned in the same breath as they guys, Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton. John Hartson. I am a long way off that. These are icons of this club. To be half as good as these guys I will be happy. But I need to keep working hard on the training field and try to keep moving forward.

“I have not been in this kind of form since Hibs. I will keep going and as I say keep my feet on the ground in training and when Tuesday comes around when we play Hamilton Accies, I will try and get another couple.”

Deila, meanwhile, wouldn’t comment on speculation linking him with Manchester City player Patrick Roberts, while he will wait on news of Kieran Tierney who had to go off with a shoulder injury.

“It was his shoulder,” said the Norwegian. “I think it was a little bit out of position. Hopefully it is nothing big, but he had a lot of pain.”

It is anticipated that out of favour Irish striker Anthony Stokes will opt for a loan move to Hibs until the end of the season. The 27-year-old has opted for the Championship club despite being wanted by Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dundee United as well as offers from the Championship.