Sviatchenko backs Celtic team-mate Griffiths to shine for Scotland

Denmark defender Erik Sviatchenko believes Celtic team-mate Leigh Griffiths will transfer his prolific club form to the international stage.

But the centre-back is out to make the Scotland striker wait one more game before he breaks his international duck.

Griffiths has netted 35 times this season but is looking for his first Scotland goal after six appearances - most of them off the bench.

The former Wolves and Hibernian forward is likely to be given a chance to show he can lead the line regularly for Scotland during Tuesday's Hampden friendly against the Danes.

Speaking at Ibrox ahead of a Danish training session, Sviatchenko said: "I see him every day in training and I am certain he can take that next step.

"He is still 25 so he's a young player, But, at this stage, to score that many goals and be so consistent, these are good signs."

When asked if he was surprised Griffiths had not scored for his country, Sviatchenko said: "A bit but sometimes it's difficult when you don't earn as many games as you do in the league.

"It's something else with the national team, but let's hope he waits one more game.

"I will do my best to stop him from scoring. He is on a really hot streak of goals in the Scottish Premiership so hopefully we can do something about him."

Sviatchenko has impressed since joining Celtic from Midtjylland in January and he feels he has already proved wrong the Danish critics who questioned his move.

"I believe I have shown what I am capable of," he said.

"My goal was to be selected for the national squad when the new coach came in and at this stage I am here.

"I can feel I am improving in the Scottish league as well and I'm at a club with the culture of winning. I want to win as well so at this stage I am satisfied."

Head coach Age Hareide, who began his Denmark career with a win over Iceland on Thursday, was happy to see Sviatchenko join Celtic.

"He is very pleased to be at Celtic and playing in an atmosphere like that will help his career," Hareide said.

"He's coming into the best team in Scotland and he will be better for playing in this league.

"I was happy. He is playing in an atmosphere with pressure and Celtic want to be the best. That suits him well."

Hareide boasts recent success against Celtic, leading Malmo to a Champions League qualifying triumph this season. And he enjoyed a victory and a draw as Norway manager on previous visits to Hampden.

"Scotland have some interesting players," Hareide said.

"They have been at a very high level and I think they are working their way back again. It seems like that.

"For teams like Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, with not so big populations, they have to fight at the same level and it changes with generations.

"They will go up and down like Denmark and other international teams."