The last time Celtic and Rangers went head-to-head, Leigh Griffiths was clueless in the build-up to the occasion.

“Last February was the first time I had ever seen an Old Firm game let alone played in one,” reflected the striker.

A year on, and with a goalscoring debut against the Ibrox side behind him, Griffiths is significantly wiser.

The 25-year-old goes into this weekend’s game not just enlightened in the unique demands of what a Glasgow derby entails but also on the back of a very different season.

READ MORE: Leigh Griffiths on best behaviour as he treads suspension tightrope

While 14 months ago he was trying to prove his worth to Ronny Deila as he sat at the bottom of the striker’s pecking order, the question now is where Celtic might have been in this campaign without his 37 goals.

The striker saw no reason to hide his delight as he celebrated the goals that ended his barren spell against Motherwell at the weekend when he hit a brace, goals that were important psychologically for the player as he gets his head around the forthcoming William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers.

“I didn’t have any idea what to expect the last time we played Rangers, but now it is different,” he said.

“If I can score and get us through to the final then brilliant but the most important thing about a game like this is not who scores but making sure that we get through to the final.

"We know what it means to everyone at the club and it is all about going out there and giving it everything.

READ MORE: Leigh Griffiths on best behaviour as he treads suspension tightrope

“It is nice to be going into that game having scored a couple at the weekend. Although, to be fair, although my head was a wee bit down when I missed the penalty, I do always fancy myself to score. I think I will always have that confidence when I walk onto the pitch.”

Meanwhile, Griffiths has set his sights on the 40-goal mark this season and he has insisted that the criticism he felt he has been on the end of in recent weeks has inspired him to finish the campaign on a high.

“It was a wee barren spell but it was the first one I have had all season,” he said. “But actually, I would quite like to thank the people who took a real pop at me because I am determined to show them that I am not finished yet.

"I heard one pundit on the radio saying that my season was over, that I had hit the wall.

“Well, I have no intention of stopping before the season is over. There are five league games left, and the potential of two Cup games. I have more goals in me. It would be nice to get to 40. I think that would be an amazing return for the season, but the most important thing is that we win the league and the Scottish Cup.

“Criticism motivates me. My first focus is to play well and create chances, chances that can help my team to win the league. But we have a team of winners here and we all want to win.”

Colin Kazim-Richards played better than he has during the weekend win at Fir Park, but in all probability he will find himself benched for the trip to Hampden.

The one question mark over Ronny Deila’s team selection is the wide midfield position, since nearly every other placing takes care of itself. The Norwegian could recall Kris Commons, who has not had a particularly impressive season but who has form in the on the big occasion – and is also a penalty taker – but both Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic might fancy themselves to be drafted in for a start.

Certainly, though, Griffiths is not fazed at the thought of playing the lone striker role.

“We will have a good week’s training this week, we will get the heads down and whatever system the manager wants us to play, we will go out there and try to execute his plan,” said the striker.

“Colin has attributes that I don’t have. He is a strong guy and against Motherwell he created space for me by occupying their defenders. He also has a wee bit of fire about him and I don’t think you can’t take that away from him or else he wouldn’t be the same player.

“But we will see how the manager wants to go about it. We have seen quality and goals from Tom and Callum and we all know what Kris can do. So we just have to wait and see what decision the manager makes.

“I actually thought we played some of the best football we have for a while in the first-half against Motherwell. We were getting so much of the ball on the left-hand side. Stefan Johansen was great in support and we are starting to see the best of Scott again.

“Patrick Roberts just keeps going at guys and you can see that the lad has so much talent. He is creating opportunities with the way he plays and that can only be a good thing.”

READ MORE: Leigh Griffiths on best behaviour as he treads suspension tightrope