Leigh Griffiths hopes Celtic form can push him into Scotland team

Leigh Griffiths (right) has just six caps for Scotland, with only two starts

Leigh Griffiths says he wants to use reaching 50 goals for Celtic as a springboard to force his way into the Scotland starting line-up.

Griffiths became the fastest player in Celtic history to reach a half century of goals, with a double in a 4-1 win over Dundee United on Friday.

Now the striker, 25, wants to start hitting the net in the dark blue.

"That's the next step. I want to keep working hard and hopefully the goals still come for Celtic," he said.

"I can't do any more than that. When the games come up for Scotland if I'm picked I'll be delighted, but if not I'll wait my turn and when I get it I need to take it with both hands."

Griffiths struggled to convince Scotland manager Gordon Strachan to pick him ahead of Steven Fletcher in the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

It was a problem he initially found at Celtic at the start of Ronny Deila's reign with John Guidetti and Anthony Stokes preferred ahead of him.

However, on Friday Deila said Griffiths was so vital to the team he would not be for sale at any price.

"To score 50 goals at any club is special, but to get it at a massive club like Celtic is a great achievement for myself," Griffiths told BBC Scotland Sportscene.

"To get mentioned in the same breath as Henrik Larrson and Charlie Nicholas is great, but I've still got a long way to go to be classed as a legend at this club. I'll just keep my head down and keep working hard.

"Henrik was one of the greatest players to ever play for Celtic. If I'm half as good as him I'll be happy."

Griffiths also believes the title race is far from over, with Aberdeen cutting the gap to three points with a 3-2 victory over Ross County.

Celtic have a game in hand and could increase the gap back to six points on Tuesday when they host Hamilton.

The two sides have faced each other twice this season with one win apiece, with a third encounter at Pittodrie coming at the beginning of February.

"We knew from last season how far they pushed us, that this season it would be no different," he said.

"Apart from a blip in the Cup they've been on a good run of form. We're looking forward to the game in a few weeks at Pittodrie."