Giorgos Giakoumakis played for over an hour in Greece’s 1-0 win over Romania on Tuesday. And in Gus Poyet’s first game as the new boss of the Greek national side, Giakoumakis made a good impression. Indeed, only an offside flag stopped the Celtic striker from grabbing a goal on his return to the international fold against the Romanians, after a lovely flicked finish was denied by the linesman’s flag.
As pleasing as it was to see Giakoumakis get a call up to the Greece squad as a reward for his eleven goals since the international break, including back to back hat-tricks at Celtic Park, Giakoumakis is going to be a vital player for Celtic as the Hoops head into a Glasgow Derby on Sunday and a chance to extend the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to six points.
As such Greek media outlet Gazzetta’s news that Giakoumakis will be rested for tomorrow night’s friendly with Montenegro it has to be said is a welcome development.
The Greek publication are stating AZ Alkmaar forward Vangelis Pavlidis is likely to start the match in place of the Celtic striker, meaning Giakoumakis is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench tomorrow night and hopefully, even accounting for some action as a second half substitute, that will mean Giorgis Giakoumakis will return to Scotland well rested and ready to continue his goalscoring form this weekend.
Giakoumakis played against theRangers at Celtic Park in February’s 3-0 ‘skelping at Celtic Park and although he didn’t get on the scoresheet he was unlucky not to do so, and led the line superbly, causing theRangers defence a torrid time all evening. For those who think goals is all Giakoumakis brings to the Celtic party, you only need to look back on that thumping win under the lights at Celtic Park for the evidence that there is far more to Giakoumakis game than the one-touch finishes that seem to grab all the headlines.
With Kyogo Furuhashi still not 100% fit and Daizen Maeda proving incredibly effective on the left side of a front three for Ange Postecoglou, it is near certain, if fit, Giakoumakis will be the focal point of Celtic’s attack for the Glasgow Derby. As such any chance offered by Gus Poyet for Giakoumakis to reduce his playing time for Greece tomorrow night, can only benefit Celtic ahead of a huge fixture this coming Sunday.
With Nir Bitton returning earlier that expected from international duty with Israel this latest development is an example of Ange Postecoglou’s diplomacy skills on the international stage paying dividends for Celtic.
Niall J
