GORGEOUS GIORGOS
Hoops crowd falling in love with their new striker as he gets off mark
GORDON PARKS GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS insists he’s signed up for a risk-free spell with Celtic that comes with a guarantee of goals.
The 26-year-old Greek striker marked his first start with the opening goal, which was followed by a Josip Juranovic penalty (right) as the Hoops moved to within one point of the summit.
After receiving a standing ovation from the fans when he was replaced by Mikey Johnston on the hour, the £2.5million arrival from Dutch side Vvv-venlo is adamant there’s plenty more to come.
He said: “The option to come here did not include one per cent of a risk. It was something I decided immediately because this team has a really good plan.
“It is an attacking team, we play with an offensive style of game. This will help me to score goals and win trophies. I want to stay healthy and help my team get victories.
“I am a striker, my goal is to score every week. I am really happy I am here. The level of my team-mates is really high and we can achieve many things together.”
The hitman fired 29 goals in 33 games in Holland but admits his first goal for his new club is up there with the best of them.
He said: “It was really beautiful, something I was looking forward to feeling. I am really happy about that.
“From now on I can say that if I am needed, I am ready. I am getting closer and closer to full fitness game by game. With one or two more games I will be there.” Boss Ange Postecoglou praised his side for their patience against a stubborn Saints defence.
He said: “I knew it was going to be a difficult game, one where we were not going to get a helluva lot of space, particularly in and around their box. We had to be disciplined and we did that. There weren’t many times we got frustrated or overplayed things, we stayed composed. We were clinical when we did get the chance. That was key.”
The Hoops boss was happy Giakoumakis got off the mark and a second half cameo from Johnston was another bonus for the Aussie.
He said: “There’s no striker in the world that feels good unless he is scoring goals, especially when you come to a new environment.
“For me, whether he scored or not wasn’t going to be as important. He did what we needed him to today.
“I know for him getting that goal is going to be pleasing and hopefully he can build from there.
“It’s great to see we have those options in attack now. What’s also pleasing is the way we are playing, keeping a consistent level of performance. We want to maintain that.
“Our performances have been good in all the games since the break so from that point of view it’s pleasing but we have just got to keep going.
“I was really pleased to see Mikey Johnston back because he looked really good in pre-season.
“The key for him was to get his body healthy. The way we play he can have a huge impact. Hopefully James Forrest is not too far away either.”