DUNDEE'S Alex Harris has claimed that Leigh Griffiths is now among the elite strikers in Scotland, adding that he always believed the Celtic striker would prove to be a success at Parkhead.
During his fledgling days in Hibernian's youth team, Harris watched as Griffiths forged his own reputation as a predatory goalscorer, scoring 39 goals in just 78 appearances during a two-year loan spell in Leith.
And after a stuttering start to his career at Celtic, 24-year-old Griffiths has now established himself as first choice under manager Ronny Deila, capping a scintillating run of form with a hat-trick against Dundee United.
Indeed, Griffiths and his team-mates will be crowned champions this weekend should they defeat Dundee at Parkhead tonight and Aberdeen fail to beat Dundee United at Tannadice tomorrow afternoon.
And Harris, who is on loan at Dundee from Hibernian, is fully aware of the dangers that his former team-mate poses.
"Leigh's talent speaks for itself," he said. "When he's at the top of his game, he is a brilliant player. He has been flying for the past few weeks for Celtic.
"We know what he's all about. James McPake is our centre-half and he was there at Hibs with Leigh and myself, too.
"He was up against him last week and will be again on Friday night. So we'll have to be on the top of our game to stop him.
"I knew that, when he got a good run of games, the goals would come for him. He did the same at Hibs and I think he's done that everywhere he's been.
"I was still a young boy in the Hibs youth team when he was breaking through in the senior team.
"He's a good lad I got on well with him. I wasn't there too long but he's a local lad and is a big Hibs fans. I think he's definitely up there with the best in this country."
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