Antoine Griezmann: 'Diego Simeone inspired Athletic Bilbao hat-trick'

Atletico Madrid winger Antoine Griezmann has revealed that coach Diego Simeone inspired his hat-trick in tonight's 4-1 win away to Athletic Bilbao.

Atletico produced a rousing second half as a treble from the Frenchman and a Raul Garcia penalty helped the Spanish champions cap a memorable 2014 on a high note.

Simeone's side went into the break trailing by a Mikel Rico goal in a lacklustre first-half display from the visitors, and Griezmann says that the Argentine's half-time speech proved the turning point.

The 24-year-old, who joined the club for £24m from Real Sociedad in the summer, told AS: "It was my best game since I came here, I have to continue like that and keep working.

"Hopefully this will be my regular standard, or maybe I can give more. We were fairly bad in the first half.

The coach told us the necessary words during the break and the second half has gone better. Simeone told us to enjoy it, to give everything and finish the year well, which has been fantastic."

The Rojiblancos sit four points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid - who have a game in hand - ahead of their next league outing on January 3.