Chris Sutton insists Celtic letting Giorgos Giakoumakis go would be an 'enormous mistake' for Ange Postecoglou's side.
The Greek forward appears to be gearing up for a transfer exit from Parkhead, after it was revealed last month that contract talks had stalled in Glasgow. Reports claimed that Giakoumakis was unhappy with fresh terms offered to him after initially sealing a move and long-term deal from VVV-Venlo last summer.
Postecoglou could now be at risk at losing the 40-goal forward with FC Midtjylland reportedly keen on a swoop as early as this month. Yet the 28-year-old offers something valuable to Celtic according to Parkhead hero Sutton who is warning his old club that they would rue showing him the exit door in the months to come.
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In his Daily Record column, Sutton wrote: "I think it would be an enormous mistake for Celtic to sell Giakoumakis right now.
"I know he’s not playing much but I still believe he can play an important part in the remainder of the season. For all his struggles, he’s still scored five goals in his last five starts, and had a big role to play in salvaging a point at Ibrox.
"Giakoumakis might not have been directly involved. But his presence, his strength in bumping defenders around and his clever movement was every bit as key as any pass in the build up. There was another example after he came on. Celtic were struggling to get up the pitch and the knocked it up to Giakoumakis. He took it in, held off a few defenders and let his team get out.
"There might need to be patience – or even another way of playing – to find a way through. Giakoumakis would be that man for me, so I wouldn’t be entertaining the likes of Midtjylland, and there’s no way I’d be taking any calls for £5m."
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