Celtic Legend John Hartson has weighed in on the rumours in the last couple of days linking Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis with a move to the EPL.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted that several clubs are interested in the big striker, but that Celtic are unwilling to sell, with the player being labeled as ‘untouchable’.
Speaking this afternoon on GO Radio, Hartson weighed in on the rumours:
“They love him there.”
“The crowd really, really have taken to him.”
“He was so impressive last season when Kyogo was injured for the backend of the season, was very pivotal in Celtic winning the championship and they certainly won’t want to lose him.”
“It’s great scouting, it’s great from the recruitment to go get him from the Eredivisie league, where his team got relegated but he scored an awful lot of goals.”
“Celtic took him, paid decent money for him and they now want to get the best out of him.”
“Yeah, I think the frustrations will be he wants to play, Kyogo wants to play, but I think they’ll be numerous occasions where Ange can chop and change and everything else and play Giakoumakis in certain games.”
“To be fair to Kyogo, he scored again at the weekend.”
“Because Ange plays this one striker through the middle and with the two wide men, generally Abada and Jota, it only allows you to play one striker.”
“I was blessed in the Celtic team, because we could play two up, because we played three at the back, wing backs, three in the middle of the park, and that enables you to play two strikers. Ange doesn’t particularly do that.”
“He’s just going to have to be patient, and I’m sure Ange will be on top of it.”
“He’s only been at the club 12 months. He’s had a fantastic start to his Celtic career and they certainly don’t want to lose him.”
“But you’re going to get linked to clubs, there’s always agents that want to link their players, but the good thing is when clubs come in for your players, you know that they’re doing well.”
Like big John said earlier, Giakoumakis has come from being relegated in the Dutch league, to winning a league and cup double at Celtic and is going to get the chance to play in the Champions League.
That is a big turnaround for him, and from the looks of things he is loving his time at the club and the supporters love him back.
Giakoumakis is a proven goal scorer, and he can start or he can come on and change a game instantly, and I think he is going to play a big part in the Champions League for us and also domestically this season.
For me, I don’t care if we get big offers for him in this window, he is not for sale.
I would doubt there’s a single player who would even consider moving on anytime soon. There’s a spirit and camaraderie about this team that should be encouraged to develop & grow. These Bhoys are more than teammates, they’re Brothers in Arms, and you can see that in every goal, every defence, every victory, and even in defeat. 1 hurts, they all hurt.
This is truly a remarkable time for Celtic supporters. We get to watch these players week in week out, and it’s a pure joy. They won’t always be here, so I would advise all my fellow Bhoys to enjoy what we’re witnessing, as the last time we had anything close to this (imo) was under Martin O’Neil’s days.
HAIL HAIL
KEEP THE FAITH🍀🍀