WHEN a Scottish footballer whose main job is to score goals receives the highest of praise from Denis Law, it’s akin to Robert De Niro watching an amateur dramatic play and then complimenting your Bottom.

The great man, now 77, didn’t need much of a prod to talk up Leigh Griffiths with some passion it has to be said. It turns out the Celtic man is a player Law has watched and admired for some time.

Griffiths scores goal, lots of them, and that’s why the living legend, who got 333 in what was a remarkable career, likes the cut of the Scotland international. His double against England being a case in point.

Read more: Celtic left stunned by UEFA's decision to charge Leigh Griffiths for "provocation"

At 26, the Celtic striker is about to enter his peak years and this season should see him join his club’s 100 club. He is only 15 goals away from three figures for the champions and two short of 200 career goals.

That’s some feat especially as things have not always gone to plan for this likeable if flawed individual.

Law, who looked in great nick, has been really impressed with his fellow Scot’s form for Celtic and, latterly, his country.

“Leigh is an excellent player," said Law. "I was surprised he was left out of a few games at the start of the Scotland campaign. I didn’t understand that. He is a goalscorer and that’s what you need in any football team.

“You’ve got to have guys who can give him the ball and what-not but Leigh Griffiths is one of the best. Without a doubt.

“The whole point about him is he scores goals. Sometimes players like that are not in the game of course because the other team is playing well and you’re not getting the opportunities. But when Griffiths gets the ball in and around that area, there is a fair chance it will be going in the back of the net.

Read more: Celtic left stunned by UEFA's decision to charge Leigh Griffiths for "provocation"

“You can’t say that about many players. These guys are exceptional. Other players create the chances but there is only one in Scotland who can take them and that’s Leigh.

"The boy can score goals and you would never leave him out of the team.”

How about that for a ringing endorsement.

And yet it took Strachan a bit of time to be won over by the country’s most natural finisher. That is the thing about Griffiths. He is a great goal-scorer and a scorer of great goals. He’s done it in Scotland and Europe, and now with the national team.

It is going to be interesting to see what Brendan Rodgers does with him and Moussa Demble. The Frenchman is a superstar in the making but Griffiths is the man in form.

Law was not alone in wondering Strachan seemed reluctant to start with a player he admires so much.

Read more: Celtic left stunned by UEFA's decision to charge Leigh Griffiths for "provocation"

“Well, that’s up to the Scottish manager,” said the man who along with Kenny Dalglish scored more goals (30) than anyone else for the national side. “The selection is down to Gordon. But if you have a goalscorer such as Leigh then he’s in the team and you build the team around him.

“The game is difficult. You need a good goalkeeper, a strong defence, midfielders who can create but, at the end, you need someone to score the goals and, for me, Leigh Griffiths is the man for Scotland. Indeed, he’s been that way for the last few years.”

Law famously played golf in 1966 rather than watch England win the World Cup. Turns out, he still finds it difficult to watch when the Auld Enemy are involved.

“The England game wasn’t a good result in the end,” said Law about the match at Hampden in June. “I had actually gone out of the room after the second goal went in to make a cup tea. That was down to nerves.

"When I came back in it was 2-2. I couldn’t believe it. How could they do that? They had played so well.

“It’s not the end. You just never know. I wouldn’t say it’s impossible not to get to the World Cup. As long as the opportunity is there then we have a chance, don’t we? If we get to a point where we can’t qualify then you need to accept it.

“The performance against England did give me encouragement and some more confidence. When they scored that second goal I felt fantastic – but as I said I had to leave the room. I couldn’t watch the end."

Denis Law was speaking at the opening of Scotland's first Cruyff Court in Aberdeen. Known as Cruyff Court Denis Law, it is sports facility provided for young people by the Johan Cruyff Foundation, the Denis Law Legacy Trust and Aberdeen City Council.