Gordon backs Griffiths to fill Dembele's boots
Leigh Griffiths is just the man to fire Celtic to the treble if Moussa Dembele fails to re-appear this season, according to Hoops goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
Leigh Griffiths is just the man to fire Celtic to the treble if Moussa Dembele fails to re-appear this season, according to Hoops goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
The Parkhead side's top-scorer limped off half an hour into Sunday's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final win over Rangers.
Dembele - who has hit 32 goals in a stunning debut season for Celtic - appeared to suffer a hamstring injury and is due to undergo a scan to asses the extent of the damage.
But with just five weeks remaining before the May 27 final with Aberdeen, the France Under-21 international faces a race against time to prove his fitness.
That may open the door to Griffiths to provide the goals which will complete a domestic clean sweep - a feat the club has not achieved since 2001.
And Gordon insists a player who bagged 40 goals himself last term is a more than adequate replacement.
He said: "We're all hoping the damage isn't too bad.
"I thought Leigh did very well coming on after Moussa went off. He made a few chances, hit the target a couple of times and also won the penalty for our second goal.
"He's a great striker to have coming in. He scored 40 goals last season so that's not a bad guy to bring in.
"It would be a shame if Moussa was to miss out on the cup final after the season he has had.
"But we're a strong squad and no matter who plays we support the guy on the pitch.
"Hopefully Moussa is okay and it's not a long-term injury.
"But if it is we've definitely got the players to cope without him.''