Giorgos Giakoumakis explains when he'll be 100% fit after first Celtic goal

By David Walton

October 24, 2021

Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has confirmed when he’ll be 100% fit after a struggling start to life in Glasgow.

The Greek striker has been plagued with injury and fitness issues since his arrival in August’s transfer deadline day. Celtic fans had yet to see the former VVV-Venlo striker start a single game before yesterday’s 2-0 win against St Johnstone.

Ange Postecoglou handed Giakoumakis a big role against the Saints and he paid him back with a first goal for the club. Giorgos slammed home a volley deep into the first half to finally get off the mark for the Bhoys.

And after coming off on the hour mark, he’s now stated that after a couple of games max he’ll finally be at 100% fitness.

As quoted by Football Scotland, Giakoumakis said: “I’m not a patient guy, so for me it was a little bit difficult waiting to get to full fitness. I worked hard and I’m getting fitter day by day.

“It was really beautiful to score. It was something I was looking forward to feeling and I am really happy about that. I’m getting closer and closer to full fitness with every game – from now on I can say that if I am needed, I am ready.

“I think with one more game or two more games I will be fully there.”

Giorgos Giakoumakis already looks like he’ll be a Celtic handful

Giakoumakis has actually made 4 Celtic appearances already, but 3 of them have come in short cameos. After a big hour for him yesterday, the Hoops supporters can finally say that the big Greek forward is certainly going to provide us with a different option.

The former Venlo striker has shown a real ability to do the hard grafting. He isn’t just a penalty box striker who thrives on service. He’s also a hard worker, and that showed against St Johnstone yesterday.

Giakoumakis was keen to track back and do the defensive work. Something that’s vitally important if you want to be a regular in Postecoglou’s team.

However, coming off on the hour mark was another hint that he isn’t fully fit just yet. That there’s still more fitness work to be done for the striker as he looks to shrug off the fact he didn’t have a pre-season with his former club.

Celtic are at Easter Road on Wednesday before hosting Livingston next weekend. After those matches, according to Giakoumakis himself, he’ll be at his peak level.

Considering what we’ve seen of him so far, it’s difficult not to get excited by that.

In other news, Ange Postecoglou makes delightful Mikey Johnston prediction after Celtic cameos