Celtic gaffer Ange Postecoglou has praised Giorgos Giakoumakis' attitude - despite speculation surrounding his Parkhead future.
Record Sport revealed talks with the Greek striker over a new contract have broken down sparking a potential exit. Giakoumakis recently changed agent and has already been linked with a £5 million move to Danish outfit FC Midtjylland. The 28-year-old has a deal until 2026 at Celtic after arriving from Dutch club VVV Venlo - but is rumoured to want improved terms, either at Parkhead or elsewhere.
So far this season, he’s had to play second fiddle to first-choice front-man Kyogo Furuhashi in Postecoglou’s side. But he looked hungry when he came off the bench in yesterday’s 2-0 Premiership victory over Kilmarnock - hitting the post and bar after replacing the Japanese. His manager wouldn't be drawn on Giakoumakis’ Celtic future but says he’s delighted with the Greek’s application and commitment.
Postecoglou said: “I just deal with what’s in front of me. Giako has been working hard but Kyogo is in great form, scoring every week. So he’s having to come on and make a contribution - and he hasn’t flinched from that. He’s tackled that task. It’s fair to say he’d love to score a goal because he’s a goalscorer. But it’s not for the lack of trying.
“Do I want to keep him here? I don’t think about these things, about who I want to keep or who wants to leave. I just work on the basis of the group I have. If anything changes, I deal with it. People have their own ambitions in their football career.
“My goal is to make sure we’re supporting them in their endeavours. If they think an opportunity is better for them elsewhere, we’ll go through that process. I don’t think about it because I might want to keep all of them - but could get offers for them. In my first year of coaching my favourite player left me after two games because he had a better offer. So I’ve never fallen in love with them.
“Giako worked his socks off today as he has all the time. People talk about who starts for us but it’s just as important who finishes the game. If we’re going to be a relentless team we need people coming on and making a contribution. Apart from the fact Giorgos was unlucky not to score, his work-rate, tracking back and the way he held the ball up for us, was good.”
Postecoglou was delighted with his side’s display, especially in the second half when the stepped up a gear to dispose of Kilmarnock.
They should have won by a more handsome margin but it sets them up perfectly for next week’s repeat fixture in the Viaplay Cup semi-final at Hampden. Postecoglou said: “Going to Hampden is always a special occasion.
“It's a bit unusual we are playing the same opponent but it's not going to detract from the build-up or the excitement around the fixture for both clubs. You know you’re a step away from a cup final. I’m looking forward to it, as is the group. Today in the first half it was a bit sticky, we didn’t get into our flow. But in the second half we were really good. We dominated the game and probably should have scored two or three more towards the end.”
Celtic held a minute’s silence before the game for former striker Frank McGarvey who died last week Afterwards, Postecoglou revealed he spoke to his players about McGarvey’s contribution to the club and paid tribute to his family.
He said: "I know Frank’s kids were here today and I spoke to the boys about it before the game. Frank was a guy who sat in that dressing room, wore that shirt over 200 times, and scored over 100 goals for this club.
“We have to make sure we always honour those kinds of people because they are part of the Celtic family. For all our guys now, some of them have kids who are watching them play, just like Frank's kids today.
“Hopefully in a pretty difficult time we gave them a little bit of joy today. I'm sure Frank would have been pleased with it. Kevin Bridges, who is also a massive Celtic fan, lost his father in the last couple of days as well. Our thoughts and prayers go to those people. In difficult times it's amazing what this football club can do for people.”
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