LEIGH Griffiths today backed Celtic to keep their cool against wind-up merchants Malmo – and book their place alongside Europe’s elite clubs in the Champions League group stages.

Griffiths and his Hoops team mates have been slaughtered by their Swedish rivals since their 3-2 win in the play-off first leg at Celtic Park last Wednesday night.

The striker, who scored two goals against Age Haride’s team, was branded a “brat” by rival keeper Johan Wiland after the game in Glasgow.

But he has laughed off the remark and insisted he and his team mates will share the composure of their gaffer Ronny Deila when the rematch kicks off in the Swedbank Stadion this evening.

“I think the only person who has called me a brat is my mum!” said Grifffiths.

“They can say what they want about me or anybody else in the side, but we have got a job to do tomorrow and we will go and do it.

“I think they are just trying to wind us up a bit. But we are looking to win the game. They are just trying to play games with us.

“We aren’t going to fall for it. Teams will do that all the time. We have got to rise above it.

“The comments in the paper have just been silly. We know what we are. We are a good footballing side and hopefully we will go and prove that.

“Teams will always try to manipulate you and try and do stuff to get you wound up. But the manager will be cool, will be calm, and he’ll have that instilled in us tomorrow by the time we go out for kick-off.

“Nobody’s been taken in by the remarks, definitely not. We knew because we won the game that they would come out and say stuff about us, but we know we’ve got a job to do and we will look to do that tomorrow. Putting the ball in the net would be the best response.”

Griffiths started up front in Europe ahead of Nadir Ciftci for the first time in the 2015/16 campaign against Malmo last week and repaid his manager’s faith in him with a goal for Celtic in each half.

The 25-year-old, who was yesterday named in the Scotland squad for the Euro 2016 double header against Georgia and Germany, is hoping that display ensures he is in the line-up once again here this evening.

He said: “I am back playing games, back scoring goals and if I get the nod tomorrow then hopefully I will score another couple.

“It just depends what the manager thinks about going with tomorrow. But I’m champing at the bit, I’m ready to go, that’s why I didn’t want rested against Dundee United on Saturday. He tried to give me the time off, but I was eager to play and I repaid him again with a goal.

“A club like Celtic has to be in the Champions League. If we want to attract the best players to the club it’s Champions League nights that are going to do that. We’re 90 minutes now from doing it. As long as we don’t get beat we’re going to be there.

“It would mean everything to me. The Champions League is where you want to play. Professionally, I don’t think there’s a better stage in club football to show yourself. I scored two goals on Wednesday night – but they will count for nothing if we don’t go through.”

Griffiths was last week linked with a move to Barclays Premier League club Norwich City - but the former Wolves centre forward stressed he has no intention of departing Celtic after winning over manager Deila.

“I’m loving my football here, I don’t want to leave, I don’t want to go anywhere else,” he said. “I don’t bother about speculation or clubs being linked with me. For me, the only place I want to be is Celtic.”