Leigh Griffiths has insisted that there is only one to alleviate the pressure on Ronny Deila – and that is by winning games.

Griffiths, who has hit 30 goals for Celtic this season, has admitted to being somewhat bemused as Celtic found themselves in the eye of a storm following their defeat in the League Cup semi-final to Ross County and then on the end of another loss at Pittodrie just days later.

It brought further scrutiny over the manager’s position and long-term suitability to the role, but Griffiths has dismissed any criticism that has gone the way of the club.

“We fancy ourselves as being good enough to go on and win the title and the Scottish Cup and in anyone’s book that has got to be a decent return for the season,” said Griffiths. “Of course we wanted the Treble.

“But on the day we were down to ten men for most of the game and it just didn’t happen for us.

"But overall I think we have been pretty consistent this season. We have learned a lot from our European campaign, we feel like we let ourselves down there that’s for sure, but domestically, I think you have to look at what we have done over the course of the whole season.

“I think the criticism towards us and towards the manager has been a bit over the top.

"I don't know that we ever thought of it as a crisis. But there is only one way that we can fix it and that is by winning games.

"If we do that between now and the end of the season then I think we’ll do alright.

“If we can get a double again this season then we will be pleased with that. You always want to strive to be the best you can be but the reason a treble happens so rarely is because of how difficult it is to do.

"I still think we lost it last season because of a wrong decision – everybody could see that.

“But all we can do now is aim to be as consistent as we can between now and the end of the season.

"Every team has a blip but hopefully that's us got ours out of our system."

Griffiths has been one of success stories this campaign after fighting off opposition for his jersey.

The striker has seen off Nadir Ciftci and Carlton Cole without much ado and it remains to be seen if there is an opportunity to develop a partnership with Colin Kazim-Richards.

Certainly, the 25-year-old is optimistic that whatever happens he will be staying put in the starting line-up.

“I have managed to prove myself here,” he said. “I hit the ground running this season and I haven’t looked back.

"The manager told me last season what I needed to do, I done it and he has been as good as his word in terms of making sure I got my chance.

“I took it when I got it and I don’t plan on giving that up. I am happy with the system we play.

"If there is a chance to work on a partnership with Colin that is up to the manager and he wants to set us up. All I care about is making sure I am in there every week.”

The next stage for Griffiths to prove himself on is the international stage. Gordon Strachan has said that he will name two squads for next month’s friendlies against the Czech Republic and Denmark and it is expected that the Celtic striker will get his opportunity.

The 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign is just around the corner and Griffiths has an eye on putting Steven Fletcher under a little bit of pressure.

Griffiths has six caps for Scotland but has started just two games for the national side.

However, given his stats in front of goal this season he is a player who has become impossible for Strachan to ignore.

“I have definitely matured as a player and as a person over the last year,” said Griffiths. “I have always said that I need to be patient and wait on my chance but it is the same as it was with Celtic – when I get it, I need to be able to take it.

“I think I have shown this season that I am capable of playing that lone striker’s role.

"I think I can do what I have done for Celtic with Scotland, but it is up to the manager. Hopefully if I get the chance then I can show what I can do.

“You need to be able to go in and be strong because if you get yourself in and put in a poor performance then you are back to kicking your heels again.

"I would also be delighted to be selected for my country and I hope I have done enough this season for the manager to think that I can bring something to the squad.”