Ange Postecoglou has paid tribute to Giorgos Giakoumakis after his stunning hat-trick performance at home to Dundee in the Scottish Premiership today.
The Greek international scored with his left foot, right foot and head to make it a perfect afternoon for him in a tense 3-2 victory against Mark McGhee’s outfit.
Giakoumakis has had his ups and downs at Celtic but today was his breakout performance, delivering a huge three points in the title race.
After the match, Postecoglou was obviously delighted with his summer signing, telling BBC Radio Scotland [17:15]: “He’s been working awfully hard for us, without always getting his rewards – he’s been a bit unlucky at times with goalkeepers pulling off good saves.
“But that’s why I brought him to the club. You saw today with the opposition putting so many players in the box and defending so deep, we need somebody with presence in there and he’s got bags of it.
“That’s where his strengths lie, he’s got a real presence in the box and he’s a good finisher. I was pleased he got his three goals today.”
A slow start, injuries and the presence of Kyogo Furuhashi have all conspired against Giakoumakis getting minutes this season but he’s managed to step up and have his hero moment eventually. It was worth the wait.
He has attributes that could be vital for the Bhoys in a tight race to the finish in the Scottish Premiership.
You get the sense he’s a winner too, he’s a competitor, he’ll go to the end for Celtic and the manager. That’s what we need.
More to come from the Greek, I expect, and we’re here for it.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou’s perfect Celtic response to question about rivals dropping points today.
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