It’s hard to know which influences Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has, but in a small way, Mario Batotelli is up there.
The firebrand, occasionally world-class Italian striker was box office in the Premier League. At Manchester City, controversy never seemed far away, but he was also periodically unplayable. Instinctive, impossible to shrug off and with an excellent first-touch, the Italian at his peak was a true sight to behold.
Giakoumakis, for Celtic fans anyway, is must-watch himself. But his former manager in Greece has recalled the Celtic star’s early-season nod to Balotelli, that gives some insight on Giakoumakis’ sense of humour. After scoring a goal for Greek side POA, Giakoumakis revealed a t-shirt that said “Why Always Giakoum” [Sun].
Not only that, Giakoumakis comes from a footballing family of considerable repute. The stunt was likely a nod at comparisons being made with his father or brother.
Former POA boss Nikos Makrakis said of Giakoumakis [Sun]: “What a slogan!
“His father Manolis was a great striker of POA, and later a coach in our academy. Manolis was the advisor of his son, something like a mentor, and of course that has much to do with Giorgos’ achievements.
“I must say that his brother Giannis is also a striker and a good player. He has been a member of POA since he was a child and during this period he has integrated in the first team.
“But the whole Giakoumakis family is excellent. They are sensitive people with dignity and kindness.”
Balotelli tributes aside, Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has been an excellent investment
We’d love to see big Giorgos break out the “Why Always Giakoum” t-shirt again after scoring, apropos of nothing.
In fact, it’d be much, much funnier to do it now, a good decade plus after the fact. When Balotelli did it, it was iconic; based around the media scrutiny he’d been getting since arriving in England. Giakoumakis doing it now would be delightfully bizarre.
Giakoumakis has had nowhere near the same scrutiny in Scotland, mind. However, he has been written off by the Scottish press, confounded as they were with the idea of a player being injured. The knives were out after a difficult half-season, and keyboards were clicking with the sound of columns preparing to call him a “flop”.
Instead, he’s regained his match fitness and is scoring for fun. Giakoumakis has 12 goals in all competitions, with all but one coming in 2022.
At just the right time, with Kyogo unable to lead the line, the Greek striker has burst into prominence. Even if Kyogo is fit for Sunday, most Celtic supporters would want Giakoumakis starting up front.
It’s great to hear that he has an excellent network of family and former coaches around him. He’ll have needed words of encouragement when he battled scrutiny and injuries early on at Celtic. Especially after his late penalty miss against Livingston.
Different story now, of course. And as Celtic prepare for a potentially decisive trip to Ibrox, Giakoumakis will need to be laser-focused once more.
Read more: Another rival pundit puts Celtic in the drivers’ seat; says Hoops could decide title on Sunday
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