Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has already left pro-Rangers pundits absolutely rattled with what he said about the Hoops being title-favourites.
Giakoumakis’ confidence is absolutely flowing after a hat-trick against Dundee on Sunday. Immediately afterward, he stated that Celtic were better than Rangers in every department and that he was certain Ange Postecoglou’s men would win the title [Clyde 1].
The comments came as a surprise at the time. Especially considering Postecoglou has been doing his best to keep his players grounded throughout the season.
However, already it’s already started to wind-up pro-Rangers pundits after Celtic moved 3 points clear over the weekend. Former Ibrox man Maurice Ross has taken particular exception. As quoted by the Daily Record, he said: “I think he needs to be a bit more humble. If I was in the Rangers dressing room, those comments would just be fuel for me. Celtic were better than Rangers two weeks ago, that we can all agree on. I think the Rangers players would agree on that as well.
“But Celtic have been top of the league for about 10 minutes this season. A wee bit of humility and a wee bit of respect would be a better way of going about your business. But there’s no doubt this will be used as fuel by that Rangers squad. For those comments, that’s a lack of class if you ask me.
“Celtic have been good recently and we must give them credit for that. But you’ve been top of the table for a week, mate! Come on, settle petal! I’d be saying, ‘What are you doing? This is not how you behave at a top club. We’re humble, we win with respect and we lose with respect’.”
Rangers – the bastions of respect in football apparently
Interesting that Ross tells Giakoumakis to show some humility and respect. Something Rangers have been brilliant at over the last 12 months, eh?
So Giakoumakis is showing a bit of confidence. You know what? I don’t mind it. It may be something Ange pulls him in and discusses, but for me it’s a case of no real harm done.
And please, spare me this narrative that it’s “fuel for the fire” in the Ibrox dressing room. We’re battling for automatic qualification into the Champions League this year. If the Rangers players honestly need a bit of goading from a Celtic player to turn up, that says a lot more about them than it does Giakoumakis.
Only Celtic can control their own destiny. The title is ours to lose and we’re in a great position to build a further gap at the top. Players are showing how confident they are and if there’s any player in that squad you could forgive getting a touch excited, it’s Giakoumakis.
Celtic have overcome a host of potential tricky title tests in recent weeks. That we continue to bat away any and all challenges we face says a lot about this squad. We haven’t been top of the league for 10 minutes either. It’s been several weeks, and we’re forcing Rangers into domestic errors with our relentless pressure.
Considering there’s been a 9-point swing in the title race since the return from the winter break, why can’t we get a little excited? Giakoumakis’ comments don’t change a thing. All they’ve done is wind up rival-supporting fans and pundits. So be it.
In other news, What Celtic squad brilliantly did after Giorgos Giakoumakis’ Livingston penalty miss
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