"He is ready"; Celtic boss Postecoglou backs summer signing in Greek TV interview

By Euan Davidson

January 11, 2022

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has backed summer signing Giorgos Giakoumakis to shine after the winter break in an interview on Greek TV.

Postecoglou spoke to Nova Sports in Greece, speaking with typical passion and articulacy in his first language. The Celtic manager, who was Australia boss at the World Cup of 2014, was born in a suburb of Athens, but left Greece in 1969 after his father’s business was nationalised by force [Ange Postecoglou, ‘Changing The Game’, Chapter 1].

Covering a range of topics, Ange looked delighted to be speaking in his native tongue. And a player who he’ll be more than used to conversing with in Greek is striker Giorgos Giakoumakis.

Brought from VVV Venlo in the summer, Giakoumakis has been limited to just 276 minutes of game-time this season [Transfermarkt]. However, last year’s Eredivisie top scorer has been backed by his boss, who says he’s now ready to make a lasting impact for Celtic.

Translation comes via friend of 67 Hail Hail, Vagelis Georgariou and family.

Ange said [Nova Sports]: “I believe in him. He had a great season with VVV-Venlo.

“Giorgos came late to Celtic. He didn’t get a pre-season and has been unlucky with injuries a couple of times but now he is ready.”

What’s more, he said that Giakouamakis could have an impact akin to Georgios Samaras. Gorgeous George won 4 league titles, 2 Scottish Cups and a League Cup at Paradise, scoring 71 goals and setting up 49 in the Hoops [Transfermarkt].

Ange Postecoglou backs Celtic summer signing Giorgos Giakoumakis to shine

Firstly, this is essentially confirmation that Giakoumakis is fit again. So we’ve gained a striker; never a bad thing.

Secondly, the signing of Giakoumakis, who had options in other leagues, was clearly a personal project of Ange Postecoglou’s. It was Ange who convinced the Greek international to sign for Celtic, who described what role he’d have, and how he’d fit in tactically.

Giakoumakis has been plain unlucky. He arrived at Celtic carrying an injury, and after a month of indecision on his future. Of course he wasn’t in game shape when he arrived. Then, he injured his calf warming up against Raith Rovers, before finally getting a debut against St Johnstone.

A game in which he scored.

After that, more absences. He hasn’t played for Celtic since a half-hour appearance off the bench against Dundee at the start of November.

In flashes, we’ve seen how aggressive Giakoumakis can be, both in and out of possession. He looks, when he’s match fit, like he’ll have a real contribution to make for Celtic. If he can score 26 in 30 for a relegated side [Transfermarkt], he can certainly score goals for the Bhoys.

It’ll be exciting to see what he can do now he’s ready. And for certain, he’ll have a manager backing him to the hilt throughout.

Read more: The recent financial figures that outline how much the Celtic board is backing Ange Postecoglou