Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton on what he's seen from Giorgos Giakoumakis

By Euan Davidson

October 23, 2021

Chris Sutton is impressed with the early signs from Celtic summer buy Giorgos Giakoumakis.

The former VVV-Venlo striker, who scored 26 goals for the relegated Dutch side, was an intriguing purchase. If this was a guy who could top the goalscoring charts with a bad team, what could he do with a good one?

Unfortunately, a shoulder injury sustained in late 20-21 meant he had no pre-season preparation. That was a frustration for supporters, who wanted to see what the fuss was about.

Then, another injury knock, warming up against Raith Rovers, hampered his progression. However, Giakoumakis has been eased into life at the club, and could even start today against St Johnstone. His cameo against Ferencvaros was impressive, offering fans a glimpse of what could be for the Celtic striker.

Sutton, himself a goal-scoring legend, made a promising early assessment on Giakoumakis.

He wrote [Daily Record]:

“We can finally add Giorgos Giakoumakis to the list of attacking options now as well. It’s not been a great start for the Greek striker but I liked what I saw when he came off the bench the other day.

“He looked a real presence. He’s big, strong and he held the ball up well. His attempted overhead kick was a bit pie in the sky but he was a threat.

“Most of all he was something different. He gave Postecoglou another dimension, a physical presence and an alternative way to play when the game was shifting.”

Giorgos Giakoumakis wins early nod from Celtic legend Chris Sutton

Celtic, under Ange Postecoglou, are never going to be a kick-and-rush team with a big striker up top.

That said, it doesn’t mean having a physical presence up top is redundant. Especially in a league that rewards physicality, as much as it does clever movement and pace.

Giakoumakis could have all three. Against Ferencvaros, his display was very encouraging. He could be excellent foil for Kyogo, giving markers something else to worry about while the Japan international darts around into space.

Options win titles. We were far, far too reliant on moments of magic from Odsonne Edouard last season. If you limit yourself like that, other teams are going to quickly figure you out.

Chris Sutton played in a team with options. He, himself, was a gifted but physically imposing striker, but he had Henrik Larsson next to him, with guys like Didier Agathe, Alan Thompson and Stiliyan Petrov to set him up. Or, Martin O’Neill could use John Hartson, someone else who terrified defenders.

Top teams need to have an array of threats, otherwise they become one-dimensional. Giakoumakis, then, could be the kind of inspired signing that keeps opponents guessing.

Read more: Let Jota enjoy his football before permanent Celtic decision says Postecoglou