Celtic’s Summer Signings: Mid-season assessment – Giorgos Giakoumakis

As we entered the summer transfer windows ‘deadline day’ on 31 August, Celtic were far from done regarding snapping up potential new recruits hoping to join Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic revolution. As we got word that Celtic were shipping Leigh Griffiths out to Dundee on loan, after his latest indiscretion was the straw that finally broke the camels back, it was glaringly obvious that we needed another striker.

With Griffiths gone, the manager was down to only two options in that position, one being new signing Kyogo and the other Albian Ajeti, who many Celtic fans had lost faith in a long time ago. So when our 10th signing of the transfer window was announced as Giorgos Giakoumakis, many were intrigued as to what the Greek international striker could bring to the squad.

Looking closer at the player the first thing that stood out was that he had scored 26 goals in 30 games for Dutch side VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie the previous season, finishing the league’s top scorer even though he was playing in a poor side who eventually got relegated. He had recently broke into the Greece squad where he had so far made 6 appearances, scoring once. It was impossible not to look at his recent goalscoring exploits and not be impressed.

Georgios Giakoumakis of VVV-Venlo during the Dutch Eredivisie match between VVV-Venlo and FC Groningen at the Covebo stadium De Koel on April 3, 2021 in Venlo, The Netherlands. Photo ANP JEROEN PUTMANS 

On signing for Celtic, Giakoumakis explained he knew the standards expected at the club and that he was ready to give his all. Speaking to celticfc.com he said:

“I’m really proud, I’m happy and I’m really excited that I signed for this beautiful club. I’ll give 100 percent in every single game to help my team to win every game, because this is the target that Celtic should always have – to win in every game, in Europe and in the Scottish Premiership.”

Giakoumakis made his Celtic debut coming on for the last 15 minutes in Celtic’s Europa League match at home against Bayer Leverkusen, with the game already out of our reach. He made his league debut a couple of weeks later against Motherwell, once again being introduced as a late substitute. He started his first game shortly afterwards getting his first goal for the club against St Johnstone in late October in a decent performance that many hoped would kick-start his Celtic career.

Unfortunately a week later Giakoumakis missed a late spot-kick as Celtic missed the chance to overtake theRangers after a goalless draw at home to Livingston, which seemed to negatively affect his confidence. Many questioned why Josip Juranovic didn’t take the penalty as he had yet to miss from the spot for Celtic but the manager explained Giakoumakis was the designated penalty taker on the day. His previous record from the spot for VVV-Venlo was impressive so it’s easy to see why he was on penalty duty, however with the miss being so costly it was also easy to see why the fans were so annoyed by the weakly struck penalty.

Giakoumakis has made 9 appearances this season but only 2 of those appearances were from the start, with most being fleeting substitute appearances. Manager Ange Postecoglou recently backed his striker in a Greek TV interview, where he stated he believes in the player and feels he has been unlucky so far in his Celtic career with injuries hampering his progression and limiting his opportunities to impress the Celtic faithful. The Celtic manager believes he can still emulate former striker, and fellow countryman, Georgios Samaras by having an impact at the club.

Giorgos Giakoumakis of Celtic celebrates after scoring. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Unfortunately the big Greek striker has struggled for both form and fitness over the past four months. But now that he’s fully fit again after the winter break, I feel Giakoumakis is ready to make an impact. With the news that Daizen Maeda has been called up by Japan for their World Cup qualifiers and will therefore miss the upcoming Scottish Premiership games against Hearts, Dundee United and the Glasgow Derby, Giakoumakis will have his opportunity to show the fans that he has what it takes to be a success at Celtic Park.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to start tonight in the Scottish Cup tie against Barry Ferguson’s Alloa side. This could be the perfect opportunity for Ange Postecoglou to throw him in against a lower league team with less pressure on him, giving him an opportunity to find that match sharpness before a potentially important run leading the line in some difficult games over the next few weeks.

 Giorgos Giakoumakis of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and St. Johnstone FC at on October 23, 2021. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

I have said before when Frank McAvennie was recently having a pop at Giakoumakis that I think the player will prove his doubters wrong, especially now he is back to full fitness. From what I have saw of him so far I believe there is definitely a good player in there but he has so far been hampered by lack of pre season which led to him picking up injuries and never getting a good run in the side.

With Kyogo injured and Maeda on international duty, now would be the perfect time for Giakoumakis to kick-start his Celtic career. He will get a run in the side now and he needs to grasp the opportunity with both hands. A hundred percent record over the next few games with the Greek striker chipping in with a few goals will certainly endear him to the Celtic fans and could be the beginning of a successful career in Glasgow. The next few weeks will be the making of the player, one way or another.

Conall McGinty

About Author

Hailing from Cushendall in the North of Ireland my formative years were spent watching Celtic during our barren spell through the 90's which meant I have appreciated our recent trophy-laden spell even more. Favourite matches home and away I've attended has to be beating Man Utd 1-0 at Celtic Park and being with my 2 brothers watching us beat Lazio 2-1 in Rome. Best away day experience? Has to be Munich with friends from Coatbridge...what a few days!

1 Comment

  1. You really need to check out his record – I suggest a look at Wikipedia. He has a poor record in appearances and averages about one goal every five games. He hit a purple patch last January when he scored 11 goals – 20% of his entire career total. He did nothing in the last 14 games of the season resulting in the relegation of his team. Hope I’m wrong but I don’t have high expectations.
    Paul Aurige