Griffiths admits season has been disappointing for Celtic

Player of the year candidate Leigh Griffiths admits this season has been a disappointment despite closing in on 40 goals and a league winners' medal.

The Celtic striker was named on the PFA Scotland shortlist after hitting 38 goals so far this season.

Celtic could clinch their fifth consecutive title this weekend but semi-final defeats to Rangers and Ross County plus a poor European campaign saw Ronny Deila last week announce he would be leaving in the summer.

Griffiths said: "It's always nice to get individual awards but collectively as a team it's been a disappointment.

"Europe wasn't great and going out the cup competitions wasn't great either, but we still need to stick together as a squad and we can make history by getting that five in a row.

"Expectation levels at Celtic are exceptional, you are demanded to win every game and if you don't there's questions asked, and rightly so. But we are still going for five in a row and when we get over the line, we can have some fun."

Celtic will secure the Premiership crown this weekend if they beat Hearts at Tynecastle and Aberdeen fail to beat Motherwell.

Griffiths can then focus on reaching the 40-goal mark, which he admits is a major target for him.

But he knows it will be difficult to improve on that figure next season.

"It's going to be hard to better it but last year I just said I wanted to get a run in the team and continue the form I had last season.

"I have managed to get a clear run this time. I missed a few games in December with injury but I came back and started scoring again, which is always positive."