LEIGH GRIFFITHS would turn on his television on a Tuesday and Wednesday night and watched the Celtic equivalent of Bullseye.

But instead of missing out on a speedboat or a badly put together kitchen, this sad footballer was forced to endure the prizes of the Champions League being paraded in front of him and then going to someone else.

That someone being a club, the size or smaller than his own, good enough to qualify for the group stages. Just look and what you could (should) have won, eh Leigh.

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It was a hard watch for the guy and it would come as little surprise if midweek telly in the Griffiths household was dominated by Eastenders, which is a lot more cheery than Celtic’s last European campaign. Boy, that's saying something.Glasgow Times: Celtic's Leigh Griffiths is awarded the Ladbrokes player of the season trophy.

Mention Malmo and Molde to any supporter and they need a sit down and a pint at the Queen Vic.

It has to happen this season. The club really need to qualify for the group stages.

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It is why the board sanctioned an annual wage of £3.5million for the new manager, Brendan Rodgers, who did not come to Celtic, and let’s be honest about this, just to win a few trophies in Scotland.

Griffiths knows this and while dominating the domestic scene, winning at least two cups, the league is a must, and giving Rangers the occasional bloody nose would be fun, getting the club back in with the big boys is a must.

This is no game show. This is real life.

He said: “Those Champions League fixtures are a big focus – and we are all desperate just to do ourselves justice

“We know it’s going to be difficult again, but the manager has stressed to us that it’s where we want to be.Glasgow Times: 28/06/16   .  CELTIC TRAINING .  SLOVENIA .  The Celtic squad lead by Leigh Griffiths.

“It’s the pinnacle of the club game, the Champions League, and we’re working really hard on the training pitch to get everything right.

“We’re so keen to make sure we make an impression and guarantee, if we can, that we’re in those group stages come the end of August.

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“I watched it last year wishing we were there. Especially after the disappointment of Malmo, then seeing the group they got drawn in (Real Madrid, PSG and Shakhtar Donetsk). It was frightening, really.

“I’m sure all the boys were sitting at home thinking that could have been us, if only we’d performed on the night. We didn’t, you know?

"We had to settle for the Europa League. Hopefully we’ll go one better this year and make that group stage.”

First up is either Flora Talinn of Estonia or Lincoln Red Imps from Gibraltar, they face each other tonight in their first of two-game qualifier, in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.Glasgow Times: 28/06/16   .  CELTIC TRAINING .  SLOVENIA .  Celtic's Leigh Griffiths (left) and manager Brendan Rodgers.

This will take place on July 12 or 13, the week after their opponents are decided in the first qualifying round.

Celtic only have themselves to blame for having to start their campaign so early.

You could argue that any league champion should at worst go straight through to the final qualifying round, the stage where Celtic have failed for the past two seasons, but rules are rules and this is where Celtic are.

Griffiths said: “It’s a difficult one, these qualifiers, because nine times out of ten you’d expect the champions of a country to go straight into the group stages.

“It’s unfortunate for us, being so low down the pecking order that we have to go through three qualifiers. Never mind just one.

“But, you know, it’s part and parcel of what we face now. We just need to adapt to it.’

It has felt at times this summer that Joey Barton, a man who talks as if he has won more Champions Leagues than Andres Iniesta, is going to totally dominate Scottish football.

At least that’s what the new Rangers man thinks.

Griffiths, you will not be surprised to learn takes a differing view and he, for one, is looking forward to Scott Brown and Barton meeting one another at Celtic Park on September 10.

“You know, Joey Barton has obviously got a mouth on him,” said Griffiths. “But Broony being Broony, I’m sure he’ll just take it in his stride. I’m sure it will be an interesting battle when they face each other at Celtic Park.

“How many caps has Joey got? Just the one for England. And Broony has 50 for Scotland, he’s the captain of his national team, won titles and competed in the Champions League.

“It’s up to Barton to say what he wants but look at Broony’s CV. Now look at Joey Barton’s CV and everything he’s done in his career. Compare the two CVs together. I’m pretty sure I know who I would pick.

“Scott has Champions League experience; he’s done it at the very top level of the game, for club and country.

"If Barton wants to come up here and disrespect him, Broony will take that in his stride. The first Old Firm game will be interesting.”

As will the season if Celtic can get into the Champions League. Who needs a boat if you could get to play Bayern?