Griffiths envisions deadly double act with Kazim-Richards

Colin Kazim-Richards has been at the club for just over a week, but Leigh Griffiths is already confident the two can form a deadly partnership.

The two strikers led the line at the weekend against East Kilbride and there were signs they could compliment each others game and link-up together.

Kazim-Richards joined on deadline day on a free transfer from Feyenoord after falling out favour at the Dutch side and scored on his first start at the weekend.

Both strikers were on the scoresheet but a chorus of boos rang around the Excelsior from Celtic fans at various stages throughout the day.

Although it came against a fifth-tier Scottish side as Celtic stuttered to a 2-0 win, it will provide the 29-year-old Turkish international with a confidence boost.

If a partnership can come to fruition between the two strikers, then it could see the traditional Celtic Way make a return, much to the delight of some fans.

Griffiths insisted however that he won’t be giving up the starting position easily in Ronny Deila’s mainstay formation.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said:

I can see a future for that partnership. He is a big, strong lad, he’s physical and he likes to get the ball to feet, whereas I’m the opposite — I like to get behind defenders and stretch the game.

Against East Kilbride, we tried to link up as best we could and I hope that’s the start of things to come. But we’re guaranteed to score goals, whether it’s me playing alongside Colin or me being up there on my own.

He’s played for a lot of big clubs and scored wherever he has been. He has come to another one now and I’m not ready to give up my jersey.

When I came here, I think I scored in my second game as well — against Hearts away. For Colin, I don’t think the opposition mattered. He just wanted to get that first goal under his belt. Hopefully he can go on a run now.

He is a chirpy guy and is always smiling. That’s what you want from people. You don’t want people coming in and being muted. Hopefully it is a sign of things to come.

The 25-year-old Scottish international insisted however that any potential partnership won’t take the weight of expectation off his shoulders.

Griffiths has already scored 29 goals this season in all competitions and will be chasing down more Celtic records after becoming the fastest player in the Hoops jersey to score 50 goals.

Does his arrival take weight off my shoulders? Maybe from the fans’ point of view but not from mine.

I put myself in a position where, if I’m going on the pitch, I’m going to be scoring — and, if I don’t, I still need to make a contribution and help the team to get the win.

Both strikers have a flowery history and Griffiths believes that the devilment within Kazim-Richards makes him the player he is.

It is one of those things that you don’t want to take out of his game because he won’t be the same player.

If we do play two up top, he is going to drag the bigger centre-backs away from me and on to him because he likes to have a physical battle.