John Hartson’s makes surprise Celtic call for Ibrox

Back in his playing days John Hartson was far more Giorgos Gioakoumakis than Kyogo Furuhashi.

The Welshman certainly let opponents know that they had been in a game, qualities that made him an expensive signing at West Ham, Wimbledon and Coventry before Martin O’Neill brought him north of the border.

Hartson scored more than 100 goals for Celtic with the bulk of them due to his physique as he imposed himself on opponents.

Prior to the World Cup break Ange Postecoglou seemed to be alternating between his two strikers but since the season resumed Kyogo has started all three matches with Giakoumakis relegated to the role of super sub.

Even with one fixture still to be played, away to Hibs on Wednesday night, Hartson believes that Kyogo is a certainty to be in from the start at Ibrox on January 2.

Listening to the Welshman on Go Radio, the Daily Record reports Hartson saying:

When you’re a centre forward, you can bring Giakoumakis off the bench. Kyogo has three goals in his last three games, He’s been questioned and the supporters have been asking why isn’t Giakoumakis starting?

He had a little bit of a run for two of three games, Kyogo, when he hadn’t scored but he’s banging in the goals again and I think you play your form players.

Giakoumakis is a brilliant option to bring off the bench. He won’t be happy being on the bench and I really hope that Celtic can find a way to keep both of them, Giakoumakis certainly.

He wants to play regularly and feels as if he’s proved his worth in the games that he has played. His record per game in terms of scoring rate is magnificent.

But the contract situation isn’t helping anybody. I would love them both to stay but something is going to have to give.

The club are going to have to pay him more money, or the player is going to have to settle for that contract. He might look at other offers, I don’t know but it’s the first time in a while that Celtic have had two really good centre forwards that you can trust to go in and score goals for them.

In the opening derby fixture in September Kyogo started but was injured in the second minute with Giakoumakis coming off the bench to dominate in a 4-0 victory.