Leigh Griffiths tells Celtic fans to blame him for Ajax Europa League defeat

Image: Leigh Griffiths looks on in dismay after missing another chance

Leigh Griffiths told Celtic fans to blame him for their Europa League exit, and admitted he would drop himself if he was manager.

The striker missed a series of chances as the Hoops went down 2-1 at home to Ajax on Thursday night, which means their final group match, away at Turkish side Fenerbahce, is a dead rubber.

He said: "It's tough, especially for myself. We had the opportunity to go to Istanbul with a chance and the fate rested with me and my shooting boots.

"Unfortunately for me, they were on the wrong feet. I will beat myself up until we play Inverness on Sunday. Ultimately my performance has cost the team in Europe. I'm putting that on myself because I can't fault anyone else in the team. I thought they were outstanding.

Image: Callum McGregor of Celtic reacts after the defeat to Ajax

"I will blame myself. If I take my chances, then it could be a different scoreline. I had three, four, five good chances. On another day, I would have scored two or three of them but tonight it has cost us dearly.

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"I couldn't utter a word to my team-mates after the game. I was just so disappointed. It is not their fault. Ultimately it is down to me and my finishing."

The former Wolves man said he will examine where and why it all went wrong for him on a hugely disappointing night at Celtic Park, and will try to put it right against Inverness on Sunday - if selected.

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"I probably won't sleep for a while tonight. I'll sit up and reflect over the game. I'll probably watch it back and see where I went wrong," he said.

Image: Vaclav Cerny of Ajax celebrates as he scores their second goal

"Tomorrow, I'll be back in training. I'll go and see the manager and see what he has got to say. I'll put myself up again. I'll train hard and, hopefully, go again on Sunday."

"Inverness are next up and if the manager decides to stick with me, then I will go out and give it everything again.

"If I was him, I would want to change it. But it is down to him and what he thinks is good for the team against Inverness.'"

Griffiths later tweeted: "I can't be more apologetic than I am right now. My performance was simply SHOCKING and ultimately cost us dearly."

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