Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis doesn’t like having to share top goalscorer in the Scottish Premiership with Ross County’s Regan Charles-Cook and wished he’s had another the minutes of action to have grabbed another goal to give him that accolade for the second consecutive season after winning it in Holland last year with 26 goals for relegated VVV Venlo.

Speaking to the Scottish media after the 6-0 win over Motherwell last weekend, the 27 year old Greek international striker looked back on his first season at Celtic, and discussed why he opted to sign for Celtic instead of the other viable options on the table because of the impact made by Ange Postecoglou in a telephone conversation last summer.

Certainly Giorgos’ only regrets are the early season injury problems that were the real reason why he never edged ahead in the top scorer stakes and he reckons that he’ll put that right next time around if he can remain fit and healthy.

“When you are doing such a thing as scoring that amount of goals and your team gets relegated then it’s not normal to score 26 goals. Last season I went home in the summer to spend my holidays and I was not happy,” Giakoumakis said, as reported by Scottish Sun. “I was top scorer in the league and I knew I would probably have a transfer — but I wasn’t happy. So this year I’m top scorer with goals that helped to win the title. Now I feel that this is complete and I wish to do it again next year.

“I am proud because I had a really difficult first six months. The first part of the season was not what I expected. I had an injury. I had a lack of pre-season and so I didn’t play that much.

“To end as the top scorer in the league is something really important for me. I’m really happy with that and I wish we had ten minutes more because I don’t like to share! I need to be healthy. Whenever we start the season I always pray to God to be healthy so I can be fit and be myself. If I can be myself I can score a lot of goals and help the team.

“I’ve never had a particular number in mind. Every single game, whether I start or not, I want to score. That’s my target. I hope that next season I can score many more than I did this year.”

After his goalscoring exploits at VVV Venlo last season the Greek striker was attracting attention not only from Celtic but from clubs around Europe but it was a phone-call from Ange Postecoglou that convinced him to come to Paradise.

“In both those periods he was crucial. When I was about to sign with Celtic I had offers, but I needed to think about everything. You cannot deny this club — but you have think about every part when making your choice.

“We had a chat and straight away he convinced me that I had to come here. He was right and so I did. When I was injured I was putting some pressure on myself because I had not yet proved myself here. He just said to me that I needed to stay calm, keep believing in myself and that whenever I came back I would be crucial for the team.

“I am happy with every goal, no matter how I score.”

We all noticed Josip Juranovic – who got engaged yesterday – trying his best last Saturday to convince Jota to stay on at Celtic and Giakoumakis was also doing his bit for the cause.

“I am happy with every goal, no matter how I score. I told Jota when we were out there celebrating, I said, ‘I wish you’ll stay here because we really need you.’”

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