Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has taken to Instagram to laud the “amazing” Hoops support that backed the team at Tannadice last night.
Celtic were convincing winners in their 3-0 rout of the Arabs in Dundee. Giakoumakis bagged a second-half brace to mark his own return to the squad in convincing fashion. The big Greek forward was on hand to bag 2 clinical striker’s goals that take his tally for the season up to 9 for the season [Transfermarkt].
The performance came after the former VVV-Venlo star was on the sidelines with an illness in recent weeks. And as he got his name on the back pages with a big individual display, Giakoumakis has been quick to thank the Celtic supporters for the atmosphere last night:
Giakoumakis is closing in on double-digits this season, which would be heavily impressive considering his struggles in the first half of the season. Remember, Giakoumakis ended 2021 with only 1 goal to his name in green-and-white.
His renaissance in 2022 has been brilliant to see. Whilst he may not have the elegance or technical ability of Kyogo, he’s still proving to be a productive alternative and is playing a big part in this season’s run-in.
Next up for Celtic and Giakoumakis is a home clash against Ross County on Saturday. You wouldn’t bet against him adding to his tally in that one either.
Celtic have a viable alternative to Kyogo in Giorgos Giakoumakis
To put Giakoumakis’ rise in 2022 into perspective is difficult to do. But if you were to say to any Celtic supporter back in December that he would be our main man for the title run-in, you would’ve been laughed at. And anyone who took it seriously would’ve conceded the title to Rangers.
Of course that was unfair on the Celtic striker. But that was the level of trust that we had in him at the time. Giakoumakis hadn’t proven himself, or didn’t have the chance to, due to his injury problems.
Now, things couldn’t be any more different. Supporters are seeing first-hand the impact he’s having and they’re certainly taking to him. Giakoumakis is in the form of his life and there’s a sense that he’s just getting started.
You also felt that he needed those goals yesterday. Not to demean his achievements so far of course, but many of his goals have so far come against lower league opposition or lesser ranked Premiership teams. Goals at the likes of Tynecastle and Tannadice will do plenty to improve fan confidence in his abilities.
But there’s so much more for him and the rest of his Celtic teammates to pull off between now and the summer. So much more still to achieve as we await potential title and Scottish Cup glory.
Thankfully, we know we can now trust Giakoumakis to play a big impact within that period. He’s certainly proved his worth in 2022.
In other news, “Outstanding” Callum McGregor picked out by Celtic boss for Tannadice praise
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