Calderwood backs Griffiths to put chance behind him

COLIN CALDERWOOD has backed Leigh Griffiths to bounce back from the bitter disappointment of failing to take a gilt-edged chance which could have steered Hibs into the semi-finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup.

With Hibs already leading 1-0, Garry O’Connor’s sublime crossfield pass three minutes before half time saw the Scotland Under-21 striker outstrip the Celtic defence, leaving him with only goalkeeper Fraser Forster to beat.

But to his horror, the ball “bobbled” as he ran through resulting in a heavy touch which gave Forster the chance to smother Griffiths’ parting shot.

It proved to be a costly miss as Celtic went on the rampage, Neil Lennon’s side scoring four goals in just 22 minutes to leave Hibs boss Calderwood, his players and the Easter Road support devastated.

However, Calderwood believes lifelong Hibs fan Griffiths, who had scored his first two goals in a green and white shirt in last Saturday’s 3-2 win over St Mirren, won’t let the events of Wednesday night get him down.

He said of the on-loan Wolves star: “I like his personality. He’s annoyed but I don’t think it will have a detrimental effect on him. He thinks he should score, but he thinks he should score most times he gets the ball.

“That’s a good way to be.”