As Giorgos Giakoumakis officially left Celtic and became an Atlanta United player, it’s important to remember how crucial he was at times during his time with the Hoops. When he arrived from VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie back in the summer of 2021, he came from Holland as the top-goalscorer in the entire Legaue over there – and in a relegation zone side.
It was quite remarkable considering his goal tally and when he finally managed to get going at Celtic when Kyogo Furuhashi was out injured, he was a vital component to our success under Ange Postecoglou last year. Finishing joint top scorer in the Scottish Premiership last season, you felt he would kick on again and have a wonderful time this year.
It was not to be as he became irked at the lack of game time under the manager and made the fatal error of having a dig at the boss via social media platform Instagram. That was really the death nail for Giorgos from there on in and he was never looking likely to be back in the plans moving forward.
So, he was transferred and that was that.
But, he was such a handy player to have at the fingertips whenever we looked like needing something different out there on the park or even needing a goal. His very last touch in a Celtic shirt came against Kilmarnock in the Viaplay League Cup Semi-final and it was one of the easiest goals he’s ever likely to have scored. But it was still very important.
It was his parting gift to us and a reminder of his undoubted prowess in front of goal. He had a real poachers instinct and he proved it time and time again whilst at Celtic Park. This goal at Hampden im January sums up his style of play and why he scores so many goals. What a way to sign-off…
giakoumakis’ last touch for celtic. pic.twitter.com/vYQ0Fx9fO6
— Arron (@Arron2Smith) February 8, 2023
Paul Gillespie
