Scotland: Gordon Strachan coy over Leigh Griffiths recall

Leigh Griffiths scored a hat-trick against Dundee on Sunday

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan is remaining coy about a possible international recall for in-form Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths.

The 24-year-old won the last of his four Scotland caps in September 2013.

But he has netted 14 goals in 17 matches - including two hat-tricks in the last two weeks.

"I think, if you ask him about his form previous to that, it might not be as good as now," said Strachan. "He has come good at the right time."

Steven Fletcher has emerged as Strachan's first-choice striker, but the 28-year-old could miss the rest of Sunderland's battle to avoid relegation after again damaging an ankle that required surgery at the end of last season.

Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is struggling with an ankle injury

It places a doubt over his availability for Scotland' next Euro 2016 qualifier, against Republic of Ireland on 13 June in Dublin.

Strachan stressed that Griffiths was in his thoughts but pointed out that the former Livingston, Dundee, Wolves and Hibernian striker's upturn in form was fairly recent.

"He has been substitute up until maybe six games ago," said the Scotland boss. "His form in the last two months, probably, he can be pleased with - and so can Celtic.

"I think he only scored about four goals up until six games ago.

"I might be wrong about the four or five goals, I know it's something like that, but he is always in our mind, that's for sure."