Giorgos Giakoumakis has made a surprise attack on Celtic over the circumstances of his departure to Atlanta United.
It seems to have worked out perfectly for the player who was relegated from the Eredivisie two and a half years ago despite being the top scorer in the League at VVV Venlo.
On Transfer Deadline Day a move to Celtic gave the striker the security of a five year contract but things didn’t start off well with the new signing injured in the warm up for his debut, missing a penalty then spending two months out through injury.
Following the 2022 Winter Break Giakoumakis returned as a transformer character- a driving force as Celtic won the SPFL title with a glut of goals and a constant physical threat.
Kyogo Furuhashi remained Celtic’s first choice striker, the Greek internationalist shared striking duties but the former Vissel Kobe man always got the nod when it came to the crunch matches.
During the World Cup break news emerged that Giakoumakis was unhappy with his long term contract, relationships seemed fractured with Oh Hyeon-gyu arriving to challenge Kyogo ahead of the inevitable departure of the Greek striker.
Casting some light on his Celtic issues, Giakoumakis told The Athletic:
I wouldn’t think to leave Celtic if several things didn’t go wrong, and many of them were completely wrong. I cannot lie. My relationship with the manager wasn’t great, at the end of the day. We never had a specific fight, but he didn’t trust me as much as I wanted to feel trusted.
I had to go. I had to go. I never regretted a moment. I was sad that I had to leave Celtic. I was living a life there. I was like a god for the fans.
My connection with them was really special, and it was sad, but I had to make my decision. My last month in Celtic I was suffering because of some people at the club. I didn’t receive the respect from the people or from the club. So actually, I think they forced me to go out.
There are echoes of Paolo di Canio, Jorge Cadete and Pierre van Hooijdonk about those comments which seems strange since everything seems to have worked out well for the striker as he carried his Celtic form across the Atlantic.
He has referred specifically to the manager yet mentions ‘some people’ at the club also…
While I don’t see it being ‘peepil’ like The Butchers Apron loving director Brian Wilson – I’d love to hear who these other ‘people’ apart from the manager are –
If they’ve gone you can always sneak back Gio…
We could do with you in January and February for sure !
Petted lip time from a guy who thought he deserved to be first pick! Newsflash GG: this is Celtic son, no-one “deserves” anything, you have to work for it. The manager didn’t trust you because you gave him some reason not to, end of. Stop talking as if it’s always someone else’s fault. Take some personal responsibility and shut your damn mouth about the club that gave you a bigger platform than you had ever had.
Exactly and brilliant!
HH
Have to say it’s a recurring theme, where there’s smoke there’s fire.
Lots of players leave the club and reading between the lines they were forced out.
Editor: As soon as there is an incoming offer, the chance of a profit Celtic PLC are all over it.
Joe, you and all the other Celtic blogs are in PRIME position to get together and call out the Board of the PLC. No unity, no effect. Pour fuckin quois?
Editor: I will, not so sure about others now that they have ‘Celtic sources told us’ status.
I think his comments are fair enough. I can understand his frustration. He did well when given the chance, always tried hard on the pitch.