HIGH PRAYS
Celts boss says he lit a candle in hope key men would avoid injury
ANGE POSTECOGLOU was left in a dark place after the last international break but he’s feeling a lot brighter this time after lighting a few candles.
The Celtic boss was cursing his luck last month when Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum Mcgregor came back crocked from national service and he was praying he’d avoid more woe in the last fortnight.
Postecoglou was grateful his prayers were answered as his men reported back fully fit and ready to roll at Motherwell today.
He said: “We managed to get some work done over the break and the most important thing was to get all the players back in one piece.
“It’s a relief because the last international window wasn’t kind to us to say the least.
“I was watching the Australia game in Japan with many lit candles, saying the odd prayer now and again! Australia lost but I was glad those guys came out of it unscathed.”
Postecoglou insists he finally has his hands on the firepower to blast Celtic through a crucial spell in the season.
The Hoops boss revealed £2.5m hitman Giorgos Giakoumakis is bursting to make an impact after putting in the hard yards at Lennoxtown during the international break. Postecoglou’s attack also came through national service unscathed while James Forrest is expected to be back in business by the end of the month.
Postecoglou said: “Giakoumakis is the one who benefited the most from the international break.
“He missed pre-season and the start of the season. Then he had 10 days quarantine so he was really under done.
“We were kind of holding our breaths to get him through to this break and I think he feels a lot better in himself.
“He feels ready to make an impact now.
“That’s great for us. We have him, Albian Ajeti, obviously Kyogo, Jota,
“Leil Abada, there’s Mikey Johnston now available and James on the way. We’ll be in good shape.”