Ange reacts to frustrating day for Celtic; explains Giakoumakis penalty decision

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has given his radio reaction to today’s 0-0 draw at home to Livingston.

The Bhoys boss cut a frustrated figure on the touchline today as the Bhoys huffed and puffed against a deeply defensive opponent.

Chances were few and far between. Celtic rarely tested goalkeeper Max Stryjek despite having the vast majority of possession.

However, we were given a lifeline in injury time when Bobby Madden blew for a late penalty. Controversially, Josip Juranovic wasn’t on spot-kick duties despite scoring two this season already. Giorgos Giakoumakis stepped up and missed.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland after the game [17:13], Postecoglou said: “It was one of those days in football when you know you have to get a goal to open them up a bit. We had those chances but didn’t get the goal we needed.

“People look at football in different ways. I don’t look at football in that way, I think we created enough opportunities to win that game. If we won that game we’d be talking about a whole different thing.

“We moved the ball well, they had 11 players sitting so deep and we had to find a way through. We found a way through but couldn’t put the ball in the net.

“It was my decision to have Giakoumakis on penalties. I made that decision a couple of games ago. He wasn’t on the pitch when we got the last one so Juranovic took it. He was on the pitch so he was the designated taker today.

“He’ll be disappointed but that’s part of being a striker. You get the plaudits when you score and when you don’t you have to pick yourself back up and get out there again to put the ball in the back of the net. I’m sure that’s what he’ll do.”

So it seems that the Giorgos is the designated penalty taker for better or worse. It’ll be interesting to see if that holds when we next get a spot-kick. Will it be the Greek striker who steps up again?

Juranovic’s efforts have been struck with aplomb this term so I’d like to see the Croatian back on them as soon as possible. I’m almost certain if he was on penalty duties today we’d be sitting here talking about another three points.

In other news, Supporters utterly perplexed with Celtic decision as Bhoys miss big chance to pressure rivals vs Livingston.