LEIGH GRIFFITHS claims he had the last laugh against Hearts after firing Celtic into the League Cup semi-finals.
The former Hibernian frontman was on the receiving end of some foul-mouthed flak from the Tynecastle support as he returned to the Scottish capital. But he hushed the Gorgie faithful with his stunning opening goal in his side's 2-1 win and lapped up the silence as he ran the width of the park to celebrate in front of them.
The home fans had been warned to behave by Jambos chairwoman Ann Budge following reports of disturbances during Saturday's win over Ross County, but they responded angrily to Griffiths' taunts. Referee John Beaton flashed a yellow card his way, but the Scotland international was happy to accept the punishment.
He said: "The yellow was a bit harsh, but if you give me a goal like that and a yellow card, then I'll take it all day long.
"I get abuse everywhere I go - here, you always get stick as an ex-Hibee, but the only way to shut them up is to score."
Celtic had struggled to break the Jambos down, but Griffiths' moment of magic sent them on their way after 71 minutes as he danced his way into the box to score. Boss Ronny Deila was preparing to take off the frontman 10 minutes later when he came up with another brilliant run to create the second for Tom Rogic, with the Australian netting with a clever back-heel.
Arnaud Djoum headed a late consolation effort for the Jambos, but it is the cup holders who will now take their place in Monday's draw for the last four. However, Celtic now face an anxious wait ahead of a crucial week. Captain Scott Brown missed the clash after injuring his knee in the warm-up, while winger Gary Mackay-Steven also had to pull out from sitting on the bench with a tight groin.
With crucial clashes against Ladbrokes Premiership title rivals Aberdeen and then Molde in the Europa League coming up, it is the last thing Deila wants to see.
But the Norwegian said: "Gary will be ready very quickly but, with Scott, we will have to scan it tomorrow and then we can say what it is.
"I don't think it is serious. I hope it isn't. But again, it is a knee and we have to wait for the scan."
The defeat ended Hearts' five-game unbeaten run, but head coach Robbie Neilson said: "We didn't look like we were going to concede for long periods of the game.
"Our quality could have been better on the counter attack when we broke, we had opportunities to do it.
"But we have come a long way in 18 months, the club has been in administration, got promotion to the top league and we are sitting here getting frustrated after a 2-1 defeat to Celtic when they were holding on at the end , desperate to get the win."
