Celts set to seal the deal for striker Giakoumakis
VVV Venlo director of football, Stan Valckx, has confirmed their star man, Georgios Giakoumakis, is on the brink of agreeing on a move to Celtic after the clubs settled on a £2.1-million fee.
The Greek striker was left out of his club’s 1-0 defeat to Jong AZ Alkmaar on Friday night as he prepares to complete a transfer to the Hoops.
And Valckx confirmed after the game that the transfer will go through as soon as the 26-yearold agrees terms.
He said: “We have agreed a transfer fee with Celtic. It’s now up to the player himself to discuss terms with the club for the deal to be completed.”
The former AEK Athens hitman held talks with Bundesliga 2 club, Werder Bremen, but they opted instead to spend £3m to land Marvin Ducksch from Hannover.
And Giakoumakis – who netted 26 league goals in just 30 starts last season despite his club being relegated – is now in line to be Ange Postecoglou’s latest signing.
■ Northern Ireland boss, Ian Baraclough, is delighted and relieved Rangers midfielder, Steven Davis, is not ready to retire.
The 36-year-old is set to claim his 127th cap for Northern Ireland against Lithuania in Vilnius to stretch his British record.
Davis was so integral to Rangers’ 55th title success last season that he lifted the SFWA Player of the Year award after winning his fourth Scottish title.
He is equally important to Baraclough as he prepares for a crucial World Cup qualifier on Thursday night, with Northern Ireland taking just one point from games against Italy and Bulgaria.
Davis was allowed to skip the summer friendlies against Malta and Ukraine.
Baraclough said: “Please don’t write this man off, or think about retirement for him because it is not an option for me!
“Last season, Steven was brilliant. He had a rest during the summer, and needed that rest.
“I was more than happy when he spoke to me and said he needed to have that downtime.
“He has come back, and started the season very strongly. Davo will be a big part going forward for me, and is looking as strong as ever.”
Baraclough has also been giving St Johnstone’s coveted midfielder, Ali Mccann, some career advice.
The 21-year-old has been linked with clubs north and south of the border, and Baraclough said: “I spoke to Ali when we were in Austria.
“I tried to get across to him to keep doing what he’s doing, and things will happen for him.
“The way he performed in Europe this season was very encouraging.
“He’s knuckling down, and he’s a very levelheaded lad, who just takes things in his stride.”