After an experience two years ago Leigh Griffiths won’t ever take anything for granted.
It should have been an ideal introduction for Brendan Rodgers but turned out to be anything but.
‘Lincoln Red Imps 1-0 Celtic’ was the scoreline that flashed across the world.
Anyone doubting the scale of the task that Rodgers faced was brought upto speed with the five times Scottish champions losing out to a collection of taxi drivers, students, teachers and refuge collectors.
Complete disaster was avoided in the return leg as Celtic won 3-0 but no one will ever forget the horrors of a first round, first leg Champions League qualifier in the height of summer.
“I know no-one wants to remember that tie in Gibraltar, but it was up there in terms of the hardest conditions I’ve ever faced,” Griffiths told the Daily Record. “The heat, the pitch – everything went against us.
“We aren’t used to the intense heat and performances on the night away from home sometimes haven’t been good enough. Thankfully, nine times out of 10 we get the job done back at Celtic Park.
“It is difficult getting through three qualifying ties let alone four, but we just need to get on with the job in hand.
“We have been to countries such as Kazakhstan and Israel, where conditions are tough. We’d like a decent result in the first-leg this time but we know with the crowd behind us at home we have a chance of getting the job done.”
Alashkert of Armenia will provide the Champions League opposition in three weeks time, as he showed in training yesterday Griffiths already has his eye in for the big prize.
