The truth about Giorgos Giakoumakis’ relationship with Kyogo Furuhashi at Celtic

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Giorgos Giakoumakis was definitely a controversial striker who divided opinion at Celtic.

Playing second-fiddle to Kyogo Furuhashi over his 18-month time at Celtic, Giakoumakis enjoyed a very successful spell at Parkhead.

The Greek striker arrived at Celtic in the summer of 2021 as a transfer deadline day signing and with a high reputation.

Giakoumakis was the top goalscorer in the Eredivisie with VV Venlo despite the Dutch club being relegated from the top division.

With 17 goals in his first season, Giakoumakis was Celtic’s top marksman that season but was sold in January 2023 as he made his Parkhead exit to Atlanta United.

Having to constantly wait for his chance in the Celtic first-team, was there ever any bad blood between the two strikers? Here, Giakoumakis reveals the truth behind his relationship with the Japanese striker.

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Giorgos Giakoumakis denies ‘fight’ with Kyogo at Celtic

Now at Cruz Azul, Giakoumakis admits he would love a return to Celtic one day and with Brendan Rodgers looking for another striker, the comments do have remarkable timing.

But as for his relationship with Kyogo, Giakoumakis reveals he has a special bond with the now Rennes striker.

Giakoumakis told the Daily Record, “No, with Kyogo, I never had any problems. Like, we never fought. We couldn’t fight. He didn’t speak English back then. Like, zero words.

“I don’t know in the end how was it but how you can fight with someone that you don’t even know what he’s thinking?

“No, I didn’t have any fight with Kyogo. It was a big, big competition with me and him but it was, at the end of the day, mutual respect with each other. Honestly, we never had any fight and he was super kind to me.

“I think I was kind to him too. It was just the fact that I wanted to play and he didn’t want to play with two strikers. That was another thing that played its part.”

Giorgos Giakoumakis’ scoring record at Celtic vs Kyogo Furuhashi

The big Greek striker was such a different kind of player compared to Kyogo but what is never in doubt was their goalscoring prowess.

So with that in mind, here is how both Celtic stars compare:

Giakoumakis’ goal return was excellent considering most of his minutes were from the Celtic bench and after helping Celtic become champions again that season, fans will always be grateful for what he did at the club.