Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths is keen to impress Neil Lennon, who was handed the permanent manager’s job in the wake of Saturday’s Scottish Cup triumph against Hearts, when pre-season training begins next month.

Former Bolton Wanderers and Hibernian boss Lennon was handed the manager’s job with the Hoops on a temporary basis in February when Brendan Rodgers left Glasgow and became Leicester City’s boss.

Lennon ensured Celtic won the league title again and clinched a third successive treble. Scotland international striker Griffiths, who has not played since December, can’t wait for pre-season training to start The 28-year-old former Dundee and Wolves star, who has scored 75 goals in 130 league appearances for Celtic, said: “It’s been a tough couple of months, training by myself every day.

“But I’m on the home stretch now and it’s not long to go before pre-season. “I’m hoping to come back a lot fitter than I been at the start of previous campaigns, being here every day gives me that platform to get fitter. When we come back on 17th June, I’ll be raring to go.

“Football is my life. It was frustrating being off but my big focus is to come back mentally and physically stronger.”

Celtic can be backed at 1.33 to win the Scottish Premiership title again in 2019/20 while Rangers are available at 3.25. Lennon, 47, is in his second stint as Celtic’s manager having also been in charge of the Glasgow giants between 2010 and 2014.