Leigh Griffiths has hit back at accusations that the Celtic players are not fit enough.

There has been a suggestion that the Hoops players have not bought into the fitness methods of departing coach Ronny Deila and, certainly, in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers last Sunday, the Celtic players looked off the pace.

Griffiths, though, has blasted the accusation that the Celtic players have somehow contributed to Deila’s downfall by being negligent in their approach to diet and fitness.

“We ran for 120 minutes on Sunday and at the end of games we’re still pressing on when other teams are dead on their feet,” said the striker. “That’s why we’ve got some late goals this season.

“For people to say we’re not fit enough is bo**ocks in my opinion.

“Sunday was disappointing because we had a game plan where our defence was supposed to push up a bit and Broony and Nir were supposed to push up. That should then have given Stefan a licence to come and help me in attack.

“After half-time we kind of worked on what the gaffer had wanted and if we had started that way I’m sure we would have won the game.”

Although, Griffiths did concede that the players do take some responsibility for the manager’s fate.

“Yes of course,” he said. “It’s us, at the end of the day, that’s out on the park trying to get results and at times the results haven’t been good enough.”

Deila himself acknowledged that there would be some players within the Celtic dressing room who would be pleased with Wednesday’s announcement that he was quitting the club and while Griffiths admitted that would be the case, he is well aware that a new manager will now have to assess the playing squad.

“That’s part and parcel of any dressing room, people will not be in favour, people will be in favour,” said Griffiths. “With the new manager coming in now everyone has got a clean slate and it’s up to them to go and impress.

“I think the next manager coming in will be well up to speed about what people can do, he’ll have DVD’s of games. So I wouldn’t say we’re on trial. But when the new gaffer is here and in pre-season he’ll have his eye on it.”

Griffiths was signed for Celtic by Neil Lennon, who has been linked with a return to the club. Lennon threw his hat into the ring this week but Griffiths was coy when questioned on just who the next manager should be.

“It’s entirely up to the board, whoever they decide to bring in,” he said. “There are managers who aren’t in a job right now licking their lips at a chance of the Celtic job.

“Managers who are not in a job will be delighted to have their name associated with this club.

“Lenny has been associated with Celtic one way or the other for the last 15 years. The fact he is not in a job now gives him a good chance.

“But there are other managers, big name managers out there out of work and looking forward hopefully to getting an interview.”