The next two games are massive for our club, and for Giorgios Giakoumakis.
The big Greek was signed from Holland, where he’d been top scorer last season.
His pedigree should have spoken for himself, but from almost the moment he signed he was being singled out by this relentlessly negative media. We all expected it, or should have, but it was still infuriating.
The penalty miss against Livingston was mana from the heavens for those who want to put a Celtic striker under that kind of pressure. It didn’t matter that he had that stellar record in the Dutch league; this guy was targeted, and a lot of folks who should know better went along for the ride. He was written off before his feet were even under the table.
But like his Greek contemporary, I always suspect that Giakoumakis would have the last laugh.
Those goals last season were scored in a better league than this one and in a far less potent attacking side. That suggested that he had plenty more in him. It was just a matter of getting the opportunity to show us what he could do.
That time has come.
He has nothing to worry about. We don’t know when Kyogo will be back, and Maeda will not play in either of these games as he’s away playing for Japan. So the field is clear. He’s on his own, and he is more than happy to be.
This is a big weight for a new player to carry; I like his confidence.
I like that he thinks he can handle it and he’s stepping up for a big series of games. That comes with additional pressure … but wow, the rewards and the acclaim if he does it right.
This guy can answer every question they are asking about him over the next two matches.
He has two in the last two and that’s very decent as far as it goes, but the real tests are coming and if he can show us what he’s got in the next two he will cement his place as a real contender in this squad and as a vital cog in the wheel.
Just as he was meant to be.
A goal at Parkhead against the Ibrox club would reposition this guy completely.
He knows it and he believes that he can do it. His confidence is soaring. His interview to the press yesterday showed a man who thinks he’s ready for anything.
“I never doubted myself because I believe in my abilities,” he said. “I have a big motivation, I have big dreams, big targets and the only thing I was wishing was to be healthy. This was the only thing I was worrying about. I can say I feel confident now.”
And watching him in those last two games, so are we.
The pressure has been on big G to produce straight away. He looks like an out and out goal-scoring forward as his finishing recently has showed. The more he plays the more settled he’ll become, the lad has goals in him so when the pressure’s off and the natural striker in him comes to the fore I think we’re in for a nice surprise and again at a pinch of a transfer fee. Get the Utd game out of the way today and we’re set for a successful Glasgow derby. C’mon the Hoops
We have the top goalscorers from Holland and Japan in our team and didn’t cost us much these guys were earning a few hundred quid a week big lifestyle change.
Hope the wags are ok on the southside after today’s events…..get in there Celtic!!
On the + side: LOLZ x 1 million
On the – side: Fucking Biton. What a clownshoe.
Spot on Dora and I’m sure they’ll being trying to find excuses to explain our lucky win, maybe the wind or something. Some folk were banging on the other day about Bitton being an accident waiting to happen, well it did. Big G didn’t produce either, disappointing, but I hope it comes good for him soon, Glasgow derby??? That table has a much nicer look to it, not perfect of course, not yet. C’mon Hoops
Movement and work-rate good. Unlucky with first attempt, the second was horrible. Reminds me of Sheringham and the great Austrian Hans Krankl. Completely focused on the near post and his team-mates now know it. We need someone to come in at the back. Abada can do that from one side and Furuhashi the other.
i’ve posted on here before about GG.
Sadly he is not Celtic class, especially as our aim is CL participation.
It wasn’t a surprise to see him taken off after Bitton was sent off.
Better that than watching him toil.
I felt sorry for him as he is out of his depth.
I imagine he will be out on loan at a European minnow next season.
But with Kyogo and Maeda we have a bright future up front.
Also, Ben Doak is going to be brilliant.
How man games has the big guy played for Celtic? 6 perhaps and you’re asserting he’s not Celtic class. Why? Coz he missed that pen v Livi? Or because he didn’t score today?
Stop talking out your arse mate. Guy is our only option for up front on Wednesday. Let’s see how he handles that.
Why?
First touch isn’t good enough.
And then the rest.
Jesus H Calmthefuckdoon, Sean-e-o. We get another 2 points closer to the huns (soz if you think that makes me a bigot but that’s their name) and it was achieved in lolztastic fashion. We now have a chance to go top of the table on Wednesday. And you’re telling everyone you think Morelos is a better player than Giakoumakis?
Time to get your priorities right Sean. Ya fuckin’ eejit.
Was he not terrible today?
No he wasn’t.
Question Mark’s were typos! HAIL HAIL
We are all delighted with the turnaround today. Fantastic. As for GG first couple of times I watched him I thought he was what we needed. Goal record good, led line big strong. Sadly he is struggling. Taking him off with 7 to go when we need a goal says it all. Its not even a debate – of course Morelos has proved more valuable to Rangers* and if I was picking a team today I’d pick Morelos all day long – I really hope he is missing on Wednesday as they look weaker without him. But its early days for GG lets give him more time we all want him to succeed. I am more worried about our lack of aerial threat and defending set pieces on Wednesday. But today we could have gone six behind and we end up two and that is a massive shift lets build on that Wednesday. BUT we still need more quality spending 23m is great but we’ve taken in 100m in fees we still have weaknesses. CH, LB and DM in my view.
I don’t get some of our fanbase. Wednesday we won. People moaned about not turning up second half. Yesterday we won (with a last minute goal) and the big striker isn’t good enough – the one who scored the winner on Wednesday.
He was taken off yesterday because Biton was sent off and Ange wanted to play 2 through the middle. If you want someone to moan at, moan at Biton. He’s the liability, not Giakoumakis.
Two through the middle yet he (rightly)took off the only recognised central striker! I am not saying don’t start him Weds or making heavy criticism …simply that yesterday his confidence was gone, he is struggling. To try to compare him to Morelos is not credible. He’s new let’s give him time. I hope he scores the winner on Wednesday.
Why are we even talking about Morelos? For a start he won’t be playing Wednesday. We won’t have Daizen or Kyogo. Compare, if you must, to Roofe or Itten who – from the little I have seen of them – are no great shakes.
As for Giakoumakis struggling, please. He’s hardly played for Celtic.
We don’t have a choice but to play him on Wednesday. As has been pointed out on here many times. This is a war of attrition against that lot as well as the sensationalist redtops. Focus on the positives. Let them worry about their dodgy keeprer, shoddy defence and lacklustre strike force.
We have two players to focus on for that lot. Aribo and this new loan boy who looks like a tricky wee sod. Take them out the game and our chances improve dramatically. Forget Morelos. He’ll be sitting on the bench for Colombia.
The comparison to Morelos was mentioned in comments above hence it’s part of the discussion.
He shouldn’t be. That’s my point. We should be talking about how that lot are creaking if we talk about them at all. And I’d rather we didn’t.
We can talk about whatever we wish. That is what is great about the internet and this forum, differing opinions should be welcomed.
Haven’t had any abusive comments from you since Friday Solas, either you’ve decided to cut it out cause you’re getting rinsed or you not got back from the rangers game yet?
You lee Solas alane or you’ll have me tae deal wae Billy Big Bollocks, right?
Guy starts firing abuse so if you gonna give it, you gotta be able to take it right. Also, I know you didn’t know this Solas, but be careful what you write. If you wanna start relating stages of my life to a monkey, make sure you know my race. There that’s me being generous. So I don’t now expect that to happen again, its not a good look. I will leave it there. HH
WITNOF!!! Uber LOLZ!