Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has brilliantly shutdown hacks as they tried to suggest that the return of Kyogo Furuhashi to Ange Postecoglou’s ranks would represent a ‘battle’ for a place in the starting XI. The Greek centre-forward faced the media ahead of the game at the weekend against St Johnstone and was asked about the impending return of his colleague.
As covered by Celtic TV, Giakoumakis told the media conference that he hoped that the pair of them could play together and help Celtic by scoring goals in order to take them closer to the league title.
“Actually, I’m not looking forward to a battle. He’s my teammate and we have to help the team, both of us, in order to score some goals and win games.
“The only thing I’m focused on is the games we have to play until the end of the season. We have to win all of them. It’s a pleasure for me to play alongside Kyogo and it’s really good and really nice to have him back with us.”
Whilst Rangers wonder how to replace Alfredo Morelos, the media will try and drum up a narrative about battles at Lennoxtown to see who gets the nod at the weekend. Kyogo wasn’t included in the squad at Ibrox while Giakoumakis fiercely led the line.
Giakoumakis was named Player of the Month for March, an accolade that was richly deserved. After a slow start to life at Celtic, the ex-VVV Venlo forward has 12 goals in 23 appearances for the Hoops. Following his season in the Netherlands, where he finished as top scorer with the relegated club, he will be hoping to add silverware to his tally at Celtic. Kyogo, meanwhile, has 16 goals and 5 assists in 26 appearances. The manager will be delighted that they are both set to link up in the final stretch of the season with a Treble eight wins away.
