FITTING FINALE
Ange hails Rogic and Bitton as duo prepare to bid farewell
ANGE POSTECOGLOU believes the Celtic careers of Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton will get the endings they deserve when they lift the Premiership trophy today.
The midfielders, who have 34 honours between them, will wear the shirt for the final time against Motherwell after mutually agreeing to seek fresh challenges elsewhere.
Rogic, 29, has made 272 appearances since signing from Central Coast Mariners in 2013, while Bitton, 30, has played 270 times since joining in the same year from Ashdod.
Having both played significant roles in Celtic regaining the title they lost last season, they will bid their farewells after this afternoon’s final league game.
And Postecoglou feels it’s entirely fitting that two players who have been club stalwarts for so long should go out on a high.
‘In football sometimes it’s hard to get the right
GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS says he’s been fully vindicated after boldly declaring back in February that Celtic would definitely win the title. Speaking after netting a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Dundee almost three months ago, the Greek striker claimed that Celtic were better than Rangers ‘in every single part of the team’. That result came just a couple of weeks after Ange Postecoglou’s side had thrashed Rangers 3-0 at Parkhead, a victory which many viewed as a turning point in the title race. Ibrox midfielder Ryan Jack subsequently hit out at the comments from Giakoumakis, branding them as ‘disrespectful’ as Rangers sought to retain the championship. But it was the Celtic star who ultimately had the last laugh as he scored the crucial goal in Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw at Dundee United which saw them crowned champions. Giakoumakis insisted it was never his intention to be disrespectful and claims it was only a reflection of the growing confidence and belief that had built under Postecoglou. ‘I have been proved correct — thank God,’ he said. ‘I just said we would be champions because I felt we were the best team and playing the best football. ‘It was about believing in my team and nothing else. I was being honest. I wasn’t trying to pick a fight with anyone — it was what I believed. ‘Could I say I told you so? Exactly. We won the title, so it was the truth. ‘It wasn’t something we did not expect, to be honest. We worked hard every single day from the first to the last and tried to improve ourselves in every training session and game. It was all worth it. ‘It was really enjoyable at the ground and back at Celtic Park (where fans had gathered) on Wednesday. ‘But that was just part one of the party. Now we have the big one when we get the trophy (after today’s game with Motherwell). ‘It was something really nice to score the goal. I celebrated the goal as normal as I didn’t think that would be the one to secure the title. ‘In the end, we all celebrated the same way because it did not matter who scored. ‘But it was really nice to do it in front of our fans. They were amazing for us and I dedicate the goal to them.’ Giakoumakis struggled for form and fitness across the first half of the season, scoring only once in eight games. But he has been a revelation since the turn of the year. He is now Celtic’s top scorer in the Premiership with 11 goals. Since January, he has scored 14 goals in 20 games in all competitions, the latest of which was his title-winning header at Tannadice in midweek. ‘I’m feeling good and healthy,’ said the 27-year-old, who was the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie last season for VVV-Venlo. ‘When I came here, I hadn’t had a proper pre-season and I didn’t play many games. Then I got a knee injury and needed some surgery. It was a tough period for me. ‘We dropped points against Livingston because I missed the penalty and it was a tough one to try to forget. ‘At that time, the fans didn’t know what I was capable of on the field. They had their doubts, which was fair, to be honest. But, in the second half of the season, I managed to score some goals and help my team win the title. ‘This is what makes me so happy. Since January, I proved myself and I love the real connection I have with the fans now. ‘It’s the best feeling. It gives me huge motivation to play in front of them and share my goals. ‘It’s such a unique feeling celebrating with these supporters. I love it.’ Celtic confirmed yesterday that midfield stalwarts Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton are to leave the club at the end of the season. Motherwell are the opponents at Parkhead today and, once Celtic are presented with the trophy, Giakoumakis hopes the duo are given a fitting reception by the home fans. ‘They deserve a huge reception,’ he said. ‘They have written their names in the history of Celtic. ‘I am really happy to have worked with them and got to know them as football players and as people. ‘They have won so much with the team over the years and we wish them all the best for the future. ‘This will be a special day for them. They are the best examples to me for the future here. ‘If you stay at Celtic a long time, you could win the same or even more. This is something they should feel really proud about. ‘This is a club where you can win a lot of trophies. That is the target every year, but you have to go out and do it. I am looking forward to the future.’