Modest Leigh Griffiths today reflected on a weekend which saw him go beyond the half century of goals for Celtic – and insisted he was shocked that he was given the man of the match award at Tannadice.

The striker became the fastest player in the modern era to net 50 goals for Celtic after hitting the landmark in just 60 starts for the club, eclipsing the previous record held by Charlie Nicholas.

But Griffiths has insisted that he owes it all to the guys round about him – and had a particular pat on the back for the much criticised Efe Ambrose.

“I was actually really surprised to get the man of the match award on Friday night because I thought Efe was outstanding,” said Griffiths. “ Efe is a guy who has come in for so much stick from opposition fans and even from our own fans but he is a big guy who wears his heart on his sleeve and I am so pleased for him that he has had a good wee run.

“He puts his head where it hurts, he gives his all and he is a guy who never moans, never complains about anything. He just gets on with it and he is a great guy to have in the team and around the dressing room. He was brilliant for us up at Tannadice and hopefully he can stay in now.

“I have so much respect for him. He just gets on with it despite being aware sometimes of what is being said about him. He was one of the first to congratulate me on the 50 goals and he is a great guy and a great professional.”

Meanwhile, Griffiths has insisted that the accolades of the weekend will not be rushing to his head.

It has been a grounded approach that has earned the player the main striker’s jersey at the club and he believes the goals need to keep going in if he is to keep it.

“My next target is 30 now,” he said. “That is what I am concentrating on.

“18 months ago I wasn’t playing football at all and there was talk of me going on loan. My touch can be better. My link-up play can be better and the timing of my runs can get better but all that will come if I keep on working in training.

“I am nowhere near as good yet as the legends that have played at this club. I just need to keep working hard, keep scoring goals and see where that takes me. I will keep my feet on the ground and when the chances come my way I will do my best to put them away.

“It is flattering to be mentioned in the same breath as guys like John Hartson and Henrik Larsson but I have a lot still to prove.

“28 goals is the best I have had in my senior career. I have four to equal that, five to better it and I am confident that I will better that this season but so much comes down to my team-mates and what they do for me on the pitch.”