LEIGH GRIFFITHS, Celtic striker and lifelong Hibernian supporter, has admitted he wants Scott Allan to stay at Easter Road for purely selfish reasons.

The Scotland internationalist does understand why his old club's best player wants to move to Rangers before the end of this month. But he believes if Hibs are to return to the Scottish top flight this season they have to stand their ground in this seemingly never-ending transfer saga.

"If Hibs want to push for promotion, they have to keep their best players," Griffiths said. "Scotty is definitely one of them. You can understand why he wants to go, but from a selfish point-of-view I want him to stay at Hibs because I want to see them back in the top flight.

“I was in regular contact with Alan [Stubbs] and I still keep in touch with a few of the boys. They got off to a disappointing start against Dumbarton on Saturday but I’m sure they will bounce back.

“They will maybe not challenge for the title, but they will definitely be up there challenging for second or third place."

Griffiths also defended his coach John Collins – even if he was not as harsh on the standard of player – whose comments about the level of football in this country have provoked much debate over recent days.

"The Scottish Premiership is a step down from the Champions League, which everyone knows," Griffiths stated. "But the teams who play Celtic here do try and up their game against us.

“Aberdeen pushed us for a long while last season. We only won the league in May, whereas the previous season we clinched it in March.

“It is difficult for other teams to play Celtic but it is testament to them that they always try to make it difficult for us, especially when we go away from home."

Celtic go to Kilmarnock tonight without captain Scott Brown who is resting a slight hamstring injury he picked up in the game against Qarabag a week ago; however, Charlie Mulgrew is back after being sidelined for two weeks with a knee problem.