Michael Stewart and Chris Sutton have both been left hugely impressed with Giorgos Giakoumakis as they hailed Celtic’s strength in depth after a comfortable win at Tannadice.
Giakoumakis was one of the main heroes this evening after bagging a brace in a convincing 3-0 success. Callum McGregor bagged the opener, but the 2-goal showing from the Greek striker will undoubtedly fill him with confidence.
Once again, it was yet another big win in a game in which we were without top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi. Giakoumakis’ performance was also even more impressive considering he’s been suffering from illness in recent weeks.
And as they reflected on Celtic’s progression into the semi-finals, both Sutton and Stewart couldn’t help but big Giakoumakis up.
Speaking on Premier Sports 1 [14/03, 21:47], Stewart said: “You remember the cup tie at Alloa earlier this season when he spoke about how goals are like oxygen for him and that he’d really been suffering in the first half of the season and not being able to get a run. He’s starting to put a few goals on the scoresheet for them now.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
“That’s 30 games unbeaten domestically so there’s clearly a confidence and momentum with Ange Postecoglou’s side. There’s good strength in depth in that squad as well.”
“I think we’ll see a hungry Celtic side at Tannadice” | Dundee United vs Celtic Preview
Next up was Sutton, who stated: “I really like him. The way he holds the line and holds the ball in well. He’s a scrapper as well. He looks to be a natural finisher. I really like the look of him. And when you think that Celtic have Furuhashi to come back, arguably their best player, there’s now big competition for places in that striker position.”
Giorgos Giakoumakis bounces back with a morale-boosting brace
His goals tonight mean that it’s now 9 goals for the former VVV-Venlo star this season and 8 in 2022 alone. He’s proving to be an extremely useful addition for Ange Postecoglou in our domestic run-in.
To think of how far he’s come since that penalty miss against Livingston back in October is just phenomenal. There were some who were quick to dismiss the signing as a failed one at that point. Giakoumakis has since shown fantastic character and temperament to turn it around.
That’s not to say there aren’t big improvements he can make to his game. Some of his decisions in the final third were a touch frustrating at times tonight. The same goes for his execution too. All things that can be worked on as he looks to build up some consistency.
But this was Giakoumakis’ first start since his hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Dundee at Parkhead last month. He’s starting to show that he truly is a goal-getter even if plenty of them have been scrappy.
Celtic have long since needed a striker who can do the dirty stuff. A player who knows how to be in the right positions at the right times. Giakoumakis, who cost Celtic £2.5m in the summer [Sky Sports], looks to be one of those types.
Next up is a home clash against Ross County as we return to Premiership action on Saturday. And you’d be brave to bet against Giakoumakis adding to what’s becoming an impressive 2022 goal haul.
In other news, Callum McGregor steals the show at Tannadice to send Celtic back to Hampden