Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Lindsay Herron

Giorgos Giakoumakis denied dream Atlanta debut as former Celtic star suffers offside 'winner' pain

Giorgos Giakoumakis was so close to a dream Atlanta United debut when he had a 'winning goal' disallowed.

The former Celtic striker was finally able to get his MLS career up and running after a frustrating wait for visa clearance and he was given a rapturous welcome by the home fans at the Mercedes Benz Arena when he came on early in the second half against Toronto.

The Canadian side had taken the lead and Mattheus Rossetto equalised before the Parkhead favourite was introduced and it was so close to being the perfect start. Giakoumkis followed up to bury a right foot shot into the net after Juan Sanchez's header was blocked by the flag went up for an offside on Sanchez

READ MORE: Atlanta United in Celtic nod over Giakoumakis visa green light as he receives bizarre initiation

The Greek star was gutted when he quickly realised the goal was ruled out and overall he wasn't happy with his first appearamnce. He told reporters: “I demand a lot of myself. Even if I score a hat trick sometimes I will not be happy. Sometimes I’m too egoist. I know it’s not good but this is me.

Boss Gonzalo Pineda said: "Once Giakoumakis is fully incorporated into our system, and he gels with the others, we are going to have a very interesting final third product. I think it is very early to judge him, he has had one training session with the team. He had a flight on Thursday night.

"So I was actually worried that I was giving him more minutes than I expected for him. I know he is fit but the flight, the mental preparation.

"It worried me a little bit. But you can see that he is fully committed to running in the box, having second movements, counter-pressing, his energy attracts some action. His pressing is imposing and once he starts to gel he is going to be ok."

READ NEXT:

- Ben Doak caught up in ugly Liverpool vs Porto scenes as ex-Celtic kid plays part in Youth League win

- Arsenal 'name transfer price' for Celtic diehard Kieran Tierney amid Newcastle United interest

- Rangers and Celtic 'biggest disparity' highlighted by Andy Halliday as he makes windows claim

- Micah Richards hails Celtic recruitment as he reveals 'bad thing' about Ange Postecoglou transfers

- Kyogo Furuhashi EPL suitors told Celtic would need 'big money' as pundit namechecks two clubs

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.