Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough has namechecked Giorgos Giakoumakis as a “key” threat in their Nations League opener against Greece on Thursday night.
Baraclough’s men kick off their campaign against the Greeks League C Group 2 this week. The Hoops look likely to be represented too with Giakoumakis’ fantastic 2022 leading to a potential leading role with his national team.
Whether he starts on Thursday night in Belfast remains to be seen. However, after a 17-goal campaign in which 16 came this side of the year [Transfermarkt], he’s certainly in a good place to do so after his £2.5m move last year [Sky Sports].
Baraclough has been speaking ahead of the clash and has pinpointed the Celtic man as “key” after ending the season as the joing top scorer in the Premiership.
As quoted by the Independent, Baraclough said: “What he [Greece boss Gus Poyet] has brought to Greece is an optimism of the way they play and an energy to them. They don’t give anyone a moment’s peace on the ball.
“They will try and win it high up, put pressure on us and look to attack from wide areas and get balls in the box. Giorgos Giakoumakis at Celtic will be a key player for them, but they’ve got a good blend of youth and experience and players playing at good levels across Europe.
“First up is probably the toughest of the games we will get.”
Northern Ireland vs Greece a key game for Celtic striker
The only thing missing from Giakoumakis’ season, if we’re being honest, is a goal for his country. He’s managed to get himself back into the international fold in March for the first time in a year. The appointment of Poyet already appearing to be a personal boost for Giorgos.
Everything has come up trumps for him in 2022 at club level. He was a key part of our title-winning push, became the joint top scorer in the league, won the love and trust of supporters, and has put himself atthe forefront of Ange Postecoglou’s options when it comes to the UEFA Champions League next term.
Giorgos has done absolutely all he can at Celtic to make a name for himself in 2022. If he made himself a new year’s resolution of becoming a success at Parkhead, he’s absolutely smashed it.
And the signs were there of a promising Greek career too when he made his return back in March. Giakoumakis netted a wrongly disallowed goal against Romania in his first start under Poyet and made a cameo appearance against Montenegro too.
The Greek boss hasn’t been outspoken regarding team selections or who he views as his first-choice strike option. Giakoumakis is up against the likes of AZ Alkmaar’s Vangelis Pavlidis and Taxiarchis Fountas of DC United.
But neither have had the campaign Giorgos has had. And with his stock rapidly on the rise, a big role hopefully awaits him.
In other news, Israeli Report: Liel Abada set for class international achievement after 15-goal Celtic season
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