Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis helps Greece to an away win in Belfast

By John McGinley

June 2, 2022

Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis started for Greece versus Northern Ireland tonight, helping his side earn a 1-0 UEFA Nations League win at Windsor Park.

Greece and Northern Ireland are in a League C group alongside Kosovo and Cyprus for the chance of promotion to League B and a potential EURO 2024 play-off lifeline in the far future.

The Celtic star was up against long-serving Rangers midfielder Steven Davis on the night, who also started the clash following his contract extension at Ibrox recently.

Manager Gus Poyet has earmarked the Bhoys forward to play a significant role for his country over the next 12 months after bringing him back into the fold during the March international window.

Giakoumakis didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet tonight but did play 69 minutes before being replaced by former Panathinaikos star Anastasios Chatzigiovanis.

His team had gotten their goal by the time he exited the pitch thanks to Trabzonspor talent Anastasios Bakasetas.

The Celtic striker has made a big impact in Glasgow since arriving from VVV-Venlo last summer, putting initial injury and fitness concerns behind him to become a reliable goalscorer for Ange Postecoglou.

He managed to net 17 in all competitions by the end of the season, 16 of which were scored from January onwards. He showed up for the Bhoys at a crucial time after an injury sustained by Kyogo Furuhashi.

Finishing as joint-top scorer in the Scottish Premiership, he’ll be looking to build on that total further next season and push beyond the 20 mark, if he can continue to earn regular minutes.

The 27-year-old will also be eager to add to his solitary Greece goal in upcoming matches against Kosovo and Cyprus over the next week. Good luck Giorgos!

In other news, Celtic defender Carl Starfelt goes off injured in Sweden clash.