Glasgow (AFP) – Striker Leigh Griffiths says Celtic Park is regaining the fear factor for rival teams that it lost last season.

Celtic have made an ominous start to the defence of their Scottish Premiership title and sit eight points clear at the top of the table with three games in hand.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have dropped just two points all season and have already claimed the League Cup after defeat of Aberdeen in last month’s final.

Under former manager Ronny Deila the Glasgow giants were held to five draws and a defeat at Celtic Park as teams came to Parkhead with the hope of getting a result.

However, the Hoops have a perfect home record this season and Griffiths says teams will be terrified of making the trip to the east end of Glasgow.

Celtic return to their home for the first time since November 5 when they host Hamilton on Tuesday and Griffiths warned: “It’s going to be hard for teams to stop us. There’s no doubt about that.

“We’re getting more and more confident with every game the way we’re playing. I’m not saying someone won’t (beat us at home), but we take it game by game and now look to Tuesday’s game on our home pitch.

“We want to make it count. Teams will come to Celtic Park fearing the worst and that’s what we wanted at the start of the season.

“Last season teams were coming to Celtic Park thinking they could get a result but now teams will be scared about coming to Parkhead with the way we are playing.” 

The Celtic forward was the club’s top-scorer in the last campaign as he bagged 40 goals but the Scotland international has endured a frustrating start to this season.

Injuries have hampered his appearances while the form of French forward Moussa Dembele have kept him sidelined.

However, after coming in from the cold to score his 10th goal of the season against Partick Thistle on Saturday, the 26-year-old is desperate to keep his place in the starting line-up.

“I’m pleased with my 10 goals so far. It would have been more if I hadn’t been injured, I’ve no doubts about that. Now it’s all about getting a run of games and, if I do that, I’m confident I will score.”