If he stays fit, says Matthew Lindsay

Ronny Deila is in no doubt.

Leigh Griffiths, who became the Celtic player to reach the 50 goal mark in the fewest starts in the modern era on Friday night when he opened the scoring against Dundee United, can become an all-time great of the Parkhead club.

The Scotland man has certainly been impressive since forcing his way into Deila's starting line-up last season. He banged in 20 goals last term. He took his tally for the 2015/16 campaign to 24 with his double in a 4-1 victory at Tannadice.

But the Hoops have had a few good strikers in their time. Indeed, their current first choice centre forward has some way to go to match the feats of Kenny Dalglish, John Hughes, Stevie Chalmers, Henrik Larsson or Bobby Lennox. Will he be remembered alongside them?

Personally, I think he can. Last month he signed an extension to his contract which keeps him at Celtic until 2021. If he can rack up a half century of goals in around two seasons in the first team then what will he be capable of in the next five years?

If he remains fit - and the 25-year-old is, despite some of the adverse headlines that he has attracted in the past, a dedicated professional - I believe he can take his place alongside the Glasgow club's legendary forwards.

Some have quibbled about the level he is scoring at. Lennox, Larsson, Hughes, Dalglish and Chalmers netted regularly against some of the biggest clubs ion the continent in the latter stages of the European Cup.

How, the cynics sneer, can Griffiths be mentioned in the same breath as those who led the line for Celtic before him when he is only scoring against the likes of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Stranraer?

But that can change. Celtic's ultimate ambition is to play in the group stages of the Champions League. The former Livingston, Dundee, Hibs and Wolves man has shown he isn't daunted by playing in Europe this term.

I am confident he can write his name in the Celtic history books if he avoids serious injury in the future.

Must do better in Europe, says Scott Mullen

Leigh Griffiths surrounded himself with esteemed company on Friday night.

The fact he found the back of the net at Tannadice made him the fastest player in the modern era to score a half century for Celtic, putting him right up there with guys like Charlie Nicholas, Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton and John Hartson.

To be mentioned in the same breath as some of these players just shows you how much the Scotland internationalist has turned his career around at Parkhead. Not only to become part of Ronny Deila’s team, but near enough the most important piece in it.

He has already set his sights on continuing this streak, and you’d not bet against him going on to bang in another 50 over the next year or so.

However, is it enough for him to be remembered in 10, 15, 20 years’ time as a Celtic hero? After all, Anthony Stokes has reached a half century in goals and look where he is.

Stokes’ big issue was scoring in Europe and, for me, this is where Griffiths will need to make his mark if he is to be immortalised as a Hoops hero.

Just think back to some of the names already mentioned. Think of the goals Hartson, Sutton and of course Larsson scored in the Champions League and Uefa Cup, especially in the run to Seville. It is bagging these kind of strikes that built their reputation at Parkhead. Not finding the net against, with all due respect, the likes of Dundee United.

That’s not to say Griffiths is not capable of doing so. I believe he is. Not only has he breached the 50-goal barrier, but he has done so in just 60 games. With that eye for goal, it is clear he is one of the most ruthless forwards Celtic have had for years. In my opinion, even more so than Gary Hooper.

Of course, the real test for the 25-year-old will come in continental competition, something he has not had much of a chance to do since his arriving in Glasgow. If he can help the Scottish champions into the top tournament in Europe and continue his scoring streak, then we can consider Griffiths’ legacy.