Leigh Griffiths said he hoped he had silenced his doubters after he grabbed his first hat-trick for Celtic in their emphatic 5-0 demolition of Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

The signing of the former Wolverhampton striker in January was not universally popular with the Celtic fans due to a number of off-field problems that had dogged him in the past.

However, Griffiths has now scored four goals in four games for the Hoops and the forward said he was delighted to have repaid the faith manager Neil Lennon had shown in him.

"It was a good team performance and I am absolutely buzzing to score my first hat-trick here," Griffiths said.

"It is a massive club and it is an honour to play here. At the beginning the Celtic fans didn't want me but I am trying to prove everyone wrong. The reaction of the fans at the end today was great.

"When the fans heard there was interest in me they obviously didn't want me but as long as I have got the manager's backing I am happy."

Griffiths grabbed his first ever goal at Celtic Park in the 11th minute with a close range effort before setting up Charlie Mulgrew to make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute.

The former Wolves striker sent a sizzling strike past Dean Brill in the 57th minute before the Inverness 'keeper somehow let a long-range effort from substitute Kris Commons squirm into the net 12 minutes from time.

Griffiths rounded off the scoring in the 85th minute when he calmly converted a bouncing pass from Commons to seal his first hat-trick for Celtic, which keeps the Glasgow giants 21 points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

"The first one goal was probably my best one. It's the kind of goal I like to score," Griffiths added.

"That is what the manager wants -- a penalty box striker. When I signed he told me Gary Hooper was the player I had to try and emulate and if I can be half the player he was I will be happy."

The striker was rewarded for his performance with a call-up to the Scotland squad to face Poland following the withdrawal of Norwich's Robert Snodgrass.

His manager, whose side have closed to within three wins of clinching the title, hailed the hat-trick man's performance.

"I am delighted for Leigh and he could have a lot more during the course of the game," Celtic boss Lennon said.

"We felt his movement would give Inverness trouble and that proved to be the case.

"His first goal pleased me the most. We've been crying out for a penalty box style striker and that was a great ball and a great finish.

"His work rate has always been very good but his goal record is great. I think there is still a lot more to come from him in terms of his link-up play as well. He is a very intelligent footballer and he can score individual goals and you can play him on his own."