Griffiths reaffirms desire to play for Scotland

Leigh Griffiths has insisted that had it not been for back luck with regards to injuries, he would have been proud to represent his country last month. 

The Celtic striker withdrew from the double header with Israel and Portugal in October due to illness. Yet after having withdrawn once more last month to 'focus on his fitness', his commitment to the Scottish national side was widely questioned. 

Yet Griffiths has remained defiant this week, and has insisted that he will be honoured to wear the Scotland shirt, should he be called up by Alex McLeish in the New Year. 

He told the assembled media: "You could say it was brave but a lot of people didn't agree with that and I had to take the abuse I got on the chin. It was unfortunate that I was ill and injured at the same time. It is always difficult when people want to question it."

The forward continued: "Online, it is very difficult to bite your tongue. You just need to step back and try to ignore but it is difficult when you are in the street and people ask questions, you just need to give the answer you have been saying all along. I have said time and again that there is no bigger honour in football than representing your country and I am still the same."

Griffiths concluded: "You hear a lot of people venting their opinions, saying I took the huff because I wasn't going to be playing. It wasn't like that at all. I have taken it on the chin here when I have been playing well and then not been playing the next game. I wanted to concentrate on being fit. Looking forward, I am more than happy to go into the Scotland squad if I am selected."