HE was the man-child who last season became a fully-fledged Bhoy at the heart of Celtic's title-winning strike force.

Leigh Griffiths answered those who pointed the finger by blasting in 20 goals from 42 appearances last season.

And by the time the curtain came down on a long, gruelling campaign the Scotland star had seen off all pretenders to his throne as Ronny Deila's goals king.

But that was then and now is looming fast round the corner.

Griffiths will undoubtedly be under pressure to maintain the scoring form that has seen him become such a favourite with the Parkhead fans.

Nothing stands still in football and there is always someone prepared to try and fill your boots - or at least line up alongside you.

Former Celtic hitman Gary Hooper has been linked with a quickfire return to Celtic two years after he reckoned the grass of Norwich was greener than the variety found in the east end of Glasgow.

But former Hoops defender Tosh McKinlay is convinced that Griffiths will still be the man Deila is banking on to lead the line for Celtic and unpick rivals defences at home and abroad next season.

Celtic have been linked with a number of forwards – Hooper was only the latest name to appear from the margins – while Scotland striker Steven Fletcher has also been linked with a move to Parkhead.

Defender Dedryck Boyata is so far the only signing made by the club. Celtic’s first-team reconvene at Lennoxtown next week as they begin their pre-season preparations and McKinlay agrees with Deila’s opinion that the squad, as it currently stands, is good enough to get into the Uefa Champions League group stage.

“The Hooperman coming back!” laughed McKinlay. “There’s no doubt he’s scored a lot of goals for Celtic in the past. Would it work a second time? I don’t know.

“Celtic will be linked with a lot of players and you would probably have Hooper back because his record was that good. There will be all sorts of names linked with Celtic as it’s the silly season.

“I wasn’t sure about John Guidetti because for me Leigh Griffiths showed what he is all about. I’ve always been a fan of Griffiths. He bided his time, scored a lot of goals and there will be more goals to come.

“The manager will look at all departments and if he can strengthen he will do.”

Meanwhile, McKinlay also believes that Celtic are correct in not pushing the boat out financially in order to land a marquee signing this summer.

The club would be guaranteed around £20million for making it through the qualifiers and into the group stages of the Champions League, but the challenge is getting there in the first place.

Reinforcements could certainly help in that regard but McKinlay doesn’t believe that the club have to waver significantly from the business model that the club have focussed on of late.

“Celtic are the premier team in Scotland at the minute,” said the former Scotland internationalist. “They have won four-in-a-row and are looking to strengthen every year. I don’t think there is any cause to bring in big names. I think Celtic will take their time and bring in the players that they think will win them another championship.

“The manager has got to look at every department and see if he can strengthen. Obviously the centre-back position is up for grabs as well because Jason Denayer has gone back to Manchester City so I think the scouting staff will be looking to see if they can strengthen every department. They are probably looking at two players for every position.”

Whether or not Celtic go into those qualifiers with Virgil van Dijk in the squad remains to be seen.

The 23-year-old was quoted in a magazine in his homeland earlier this month that he was disappointed Celtic had not cashed in on him yet.

McKinlay, though, believes that if Celtic can make it into the Champions League group stages that he will have no reason to look elsewhere to satisfy his football ambitions.

“Virgil van Dijk has everything that he could possibly want at this moment,” said McKinlay. “He is playing for a great team, he is playing great football. I was lucky enough to see George Connelly in his prime and he reminds me very much of him.

“He could probably play every position in the park to be honest – and I include the goalkeeper, although there is a good keeper there at the moment. He is an out-and-out fantastic footballer and he reminds me very much of George Connelly with the way he comes forward and links up with midfield. He has got everything – Champions League football, he is winning things at Celtic and I think there is nothing else he can ask for.

“Celtic are in charge of it at the moment and they will decide if Van Dijk goes or not. He has everything that he could ask for at the moment and it remains to be seen whether he moves on or not but I think he will be quite happy to spend another season at Celtic Park.

“He can get into the Holland squad playing at Celtic Park, there is no doubt about that. If he gets Champions League football then he can look to try and get that spot in the Holland squad.”

Celtic had to play their qualifying games last summer at Murrayfield after Celtic Park had been used for the Commonwealth games.

It never quite sat comfortably with the club and McKinlay believes that being on their own turf can be as significant as having a manager who has fully bedded into the club.

“It was a learning curve for everyone last season,” he said. “With the Ronny Roar the manager warmed to the fans. That’s another bit of folklore to go with the Huddle and the Jungle.

“With a season under his belt I think he’ll be better equipped for the Champions League.

“It was a bit false last season to be honest. Murrayfield didn’t suit, but they will be ready for it this year.

“It comes early and you have to be ready for it. I think Celtic will be this season.”