GLASGOW: Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths says his side need to take their chances as they aim to get back to winning ways against Partick Thistle in the Glasgow derby today.
After an eight-match winning run, the Hoops have failed to record a victory in their past two matches following a defeat to Dundee United and Sunday’s frustrating goalless draw at home to bottom of the table Ross County.
The Glasgow giants passed up a host of chances in both matches and Griffiths is backing the club’s strikers to find their form as they aim to remedy their failings against Thistle.
“We dominated the game and when we are dominant like that we need to win,” Griffiths said of the draw with Ross County.
“They came here to frustrate us and did that, but we will bounce back and will look forward to Partick Thistle away.
“We can’t keep controlling games and not win them but we are back in training and looking forward to Thursday
“We were just unlucky on Saturday - Callum McGregor had the shot that came off the bar and John Guidetti was in the right place at the right time, but he just put the ball wide when nine times out of 10 he would score, so hopefully on Thursday we can put things right.
“It’s a Glasgow derby and Partick will be up for it and so will we. We will take a massive travelling support and hopefully we can get the right result.”
Elsewhere today, Dundee United host Dundee at Tannadice in the Dundee derby.
After a good start to their campaign, newly-promoted Dundee have failed to record a win in the league since 1 November.
And despite losing the two previous matches against United this season, Dundee manager Paul Hartley is hoping the derby can act as the inspiration to kick start their season again.
“I don’t think you should need motivated for a game like this,” Hartley said.
“It’s a derby with a full house and it’s on TV. It’s a game where you want to go and do well in.
“Sometimes the form goes out the window in derby games.
“It’s a match where the players are focused on doing well in.
“We know we let ourselves down on Saturday and I don’t think there’s a better game for us now.”
Hamilton host a revitalised Motherwell in the Lanarkshire derby at New Douglas Park. After a poor start to the season, new manager Ian Baraclough has led Motherwell to two successive victories with the Fir Park side eager to avenge the 4-0 thrashing they suffered at Hamilton’s hands back in September.
Bottom of the table Ross County welcome Inverness Caledonian Thistle to Victoria Park for the Highland derby.
Twenty-two points and seven positions separate the sides but County will take a boost from the point they picked up at Celtic Park on Sunday. AFP
