Giorgos Giakoumakis is of course one of the three ‘Likely Lads’ we told you about in the middle of last month who would join Celtic by the close of the transfer window. All three ended up signing for the Hoops and the Greek striker is perhaps the most significant of the three if he can replicate his scoring exploits in Dutch football at lowly VVV Venlo in the Scottish game.
Giakoumakis should not be regarded as a replacement for Odsonne Edouard, the reality is that that particular vacancy was already filled in the Celtic squad ahead of the French Under 21 striker’s deadline day departure to join Premier League side Crystal Palace. That’s Kyogo Furuhashi of course. Rather, Giakoumakis is more than likely the replacement for Leigh Griffiths.
Another striker who had previously made the move from a smaller Dutch side to make the step-up to play for Celtic was Pierre van Hooijdonk in the mid 1990s. And Big Pierre – who supporters will recall was subjected to all sorts of racist and even homophobic abuse from Rangers fans at the time – has been speaking to Daily Record about what Celtic fans can expect from the new signing.
“I think he’s capable of scoring 20-plus goals for Celtic this season. If you use him properly and play to his strengths, he’s going to get the club a lot of goals. The level of his finishing is top class. If you look at his goals, most of them are really good goals, with a real identity. They’re not all just about power.
“I can understand what he tries to do with his finishes, even when he misses chances. This boy is different, he’s more of a poacher. He’s more like Griffiths than Edouard.”
