Leigh Griffiths calls for fast start against Lincoln Red Imps

Leigh Griffiths believes an early goal against Lincoln Red Imps at Celtic Park on Wednesday night could "scare" the part-timers and turn the Champions League qualifying tie in the Hoops favour.

The Scottish champions were embarrassed by the 1-0 defeat by the Gibraltarians in the Victoria stadium last Tuesday night but it is expected that Brendan Rodgers' side will turn the second qualifier around.

Griffiths, indeed, has "no doubt" that Celtic will get through but is looking for break the deadlock early and get the Parkhead fans onside.

The Scotland striker said: "The manager called for calmness after the first game. It's a two-legged tie and we know it's only half-time in the tie so we've got a great chance of going through with the full crowd behind us at Celtic Park.

"It's just about being professional on the night. If we get that early goal then I think that will scare the other team and the crowd will get right behind us.

"They will put a lot of men behind the ball and try to hit us on the counter-attack like they did in Gibraltar.

"But the way the gaffer is going to set up, we are going to attack and there will be a lot of pace in the team, and if we can get that early goal it will frighten them."

Lincoln Red Imps assistant manager Mick McElwee expects an early blitzkrieg from the Hoops.

The life-long Celtic fan said: "There's going to be a number of factors that come into play while you try to achieve keeping a clean sheet for the first 20 minutes.

"That could be our philosophy. But that first 20 minutes is going to be like a storm, because the Celtic players are going to be looking for an early goal.

"It's not going to turn out the way we want it to turn out and it's not going to turn out the way Celtic want it to turn out, because both teams are going to be cancelling little bits of each other out as we go along.

"If we can sneak a goal, it makes life very difficult for Celtic but if they get an early goal, the game is on."