Giorgos Giakoumakis took a bit of a beating, with no backing from Beaton, but emerged a winner at Fir Park yesterday.
The striker drew a blank for the third match running but there were few complaints as he put in a shift, playing a key role in Celtic’s 4-0 win.
From the early minutes it was clear that Bevis Mugabe and his fellow defenders would be all over Giakoumakis but the Celtic number 7 never flinched as he put his body on the line for the team.
Referee John Beaton seemed to take the defenders side in the duals but as Giakoumakis took his punishment space opened up that Liel Abada and Tom Rogic exploited in full.
Coming in quietly from the left wing Abada opened the scoring in the 28th minute with Rogic charging through the centre to add two more before half-time.
At the interval the Celtic side disappeared into the South Stand to the rousing approval of the away support, as impressed by the attitude and desire of the side as they were by the free flowing football.
Giakoumakis made way for Jota after an hour with his work for the day completed. Like the team once he fully finds his feet he is bound to hit a run of goals just as he did last season with VVV Venlo.
Giakoumakis is the type of player we’ve missed for a long time.
An absolute nuisance & offers something completely different at the business end of the pitch.
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) February 6, 2022
Just said the same,he’s a pest,defenders will hate him! He creates space for our other attackers, he reminds me of a certain other Greek god!
— Ian Scobie (@scoblerone10) February 6, 2022
He’ll start banging them in
— Billy McCabe (@eaglescot) February 6, 2022
Reminds me of big JVH the way he plays, too much for defenders
— Celtic Now And Forever ?? (@celtic_now) February 6, 2022
Getting himself in great positions, but strikers are judged on goals, needs to start finding the net, no excuses as there is another level with this team. 13 must win games to go !!
— Stephen McInulty (@SMcInulty7) February 6, 2022
Bit of luck and the goals come, but honestly? Not fussed coz as you say bullies defences and opens everything up for the ones behind
— Davey (@Davey8512) February 6, 2022
Totally agree. Today Beaton had him targeted. Nasty little man.
— ExileBhoy (@amcd27) February 6, 2022
Reminds me of Hartson type , been needing that for years ??
— Ronalston? (@lubo771) February 6, 2022
He’s got a couple. He was pivotal Wednesday and today keeping defenders on their toes and making space for Abada/Jota/Maeda/Rogic
— Viva La Quinta Abada (@Che_Ntcham) February 6, 2022
Puts in so much effort the goals will come,adds so much to the play around him,guys a star
Showing lots of potential.
Would’ve scored 4-5 goals in the last 2 games if he had lifted the ball a bit, instead of low shots, which have made the keepers look better than they are. It’ll come…
HAIL HAIL
KEEP THE FAITH??
He’ll come good. He’s already proving to be an asset to the team.