New frontman gets tune out Of Celtic
Giakoumakis steals spotlight but Postecoglou still has decisions to make on favoured attack
IT was a day Giorgos Giakoumakis will never forget. The Greek striker bagged his first goal for Celtic on his first start for the club since moving to Glasgow during the summer.
Not only will it give the 26-year-old a much-needed shot in the arm, but he helped set Ange Postecoglou’s side on their way to a vital three points against a hardy St Johnstone side.
Josip Juranovic sealed the win with a second-half penalty.
Here are five things we learned from Saturday afternoon at Celtic Park…
Giakoumakis gets goals
The striker’s first start since he was signed from VVV Venlo in the summer, and it could not have gone much better as he celebrated a goal in front of the huge home crowd. It was a tidy finish from close range, and was put on a plate from Anthony Ralston. His positioning was spot on though.
As many retired strikers will tell you, the best place to be is in between the posts ready to finish off. He did not feature greatly in other aspects of the game, mind you. But his effort was certainly there for all to see as he got some muchneeded minutes under his belt.
He lasted until the hourmark before he was replaced by Mikey Johnston as the youngster continued his comeback from long-term injury. Giakoumakis clearly made a good impression on the Parkhead faithful as he was given a standing ovation as he left the field. Onwards and upwards for the 26-year-old.
Hard working
Celtic’s stars gave away the ball needlessly at times, particularly in the early stages of the first half. But their players worked hard to win it back at the earliest possible opportunity – something which is a growing trait of
Postecoglou’s side. Whether it was Tom Rogic closing down, Callum McGregor sticking his foot in or Giakoumakis with a crunching tackle, the Celtic players certainly know how to press when they are out of possession.
Clearly part of Postecoglou’s philosophy of all-energy football, you can see how Celtic have strangled many domestic teams into submission. They dominated possession against Saints over the piece, but when they did lose the ball the game-plan was executed well. McGregor and Kyogo Furuhashi are particularly skilled in this.
Bigger tests will lie ahead, but good teams can only become great teams with a strong work ethic. It has taken time for the manager’s style of play to be implemented, but the signs are there that it will work.
Ineffective positioning
Squeezed into the Celtic lineup for the game, Juranovic and Furuhashi were selected to play out of position. The former fitted in at left-back – the opposite flank to his usual starting berth – and the latter was deployed on the right wing.
Both are undoubtedly great players and the Japanese is without question the club’s best signing of the Postecoglou era. However, it is fair to say that on this showing, and other previous games, that the pair are not anywhere near as effective when played in such areas of the pitch.
In fairness, Furuhashi did often drift inside to almost play as a secondary striker off Giakoumakis. But by playing the Greek hit-man, Postecoglou is taking away his best player from his best position, which is through the middle. His runs in behind clearly give defenders nightmares, as was highlighted perfectly in last week’s Europa League win. He moved back to his natural role after Giakoumakis was subbed off on 60 minutes and was as lively as ever.
The opening goal came from Juranovic’s heavily-deflected shot, showing he was high up the pitch, helping as intended. With Saints nullifying the home side though, the Croatian did often find himself running into traffic as he came inside the pitch as the inverted full-back role requires.
Heading into the last 10 minutes, the No.88 stepped up to slot home his penalty well.
Saints will come again
The away side acquitted themselves well, as you have come to expect with Callum Davidson’s men. While it was not their day in Glasgow’s east end, the Perth outfit will move on and look to pick up points in their next outing.
The result means it is three defeats in their last four matches. That may look like bad reading, but this team are much better than their league position and results show.
Zander Clark pulled off a few saves you would expect him to make, but he could do little about the goals. Cammy MacPherson looked good in the middle of the park, while Ali Crawford came on after an hour and looked like he should have started with his range of passing and neat touches.
Callum Booth will not want to see the first goal back, with his catastrophic error allowing Ralston in to cross easily for Giakoumakis to tap home. It is high-flying Hearts up next for the Perth side on Wednesday evening.
Positive atmosphere
Prior to the match, You’ll Never
Walk Alone rang throughout Celtic Park. It is always a stirring experience, but you did feel that there was a real connection between the fans and the team. For a bog standard league match, the supporters really signalled that they are with this side and in particular the manager. When his name was announced when the team lines were read, a huge roar sounded.
Things may not have been plain sailing for the Australian since his arrival in Glasgow, but no one can doubt the backing he is receiving. The Celtic fans want and expect to see sexy football. This team certainly try to deliver that. It did not always come off in an uneventful match on Saturday, but it was evident in short spurts. The team circled the park as has become customary at Celtic home games over the years, and those who waited behind clapped their heroes down the tunnel.