Griffiths fit to face Astana

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths says he is "fully fit" to face Astana in Wednesday's Champions League play-off first leg after recovering from a calf injury.

Griffiths, 26, managed to play 30 minutes of Friday's 1-0 league victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill, and has declared himself fit to play the full 90 minutes against the Kazakhstan league leaders at Celtic Park.

Celtic's Champions League play-off first leg against Astana is live on BT Sport 2 on the eir Sport pack on Wednesday, 16 August [kick off 7.45pm]

Last season's top scorer Moussa Dembele remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while central defensive pair Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata are also out, so midfielder Nir Bitton and Jozo Simunovic are likely to start at the back.

Griffiths scored in both legs when the teams met last season in the Champions League third qualifying round, as Celtic went through through 3-2 on aggregate.

Griffiths, who has only started three of Celtic's seven games this season due to injury and suspension, admits he is desperate to get a run of games under his belt. 

"It is a bit frustrating because I came back really fit after the break, I did loads of work over the summer and I have worked with the physios so it was annoying but hopefully it is just a blip," he said.

"It will be a hard game. We know that from last year. 

"They gave us a really tough test and I think it will be the same again but it is up to us to prove that we belong in the Champions League."

Photo Inpho

eir Sport channels are available across the eir Vision, Sky and Vodafone TV platforms as well as on the eir Sport app. All 7 channels in the eir Sport pack are available for free if you are a residential eir broadband customer