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Daily Record
Sport
Ben McNicol

Giorgos Giakoumakis' red hot Celtic form earns Gus Poyet rave review as Greek boss tips him to get even better

Giorgos Giakoumakis' impressive Celtic form this year has been hailed by Greece manager Gus Poyet who believes that "he can get even better."

The 27-year-old endured a tough start to life at Parkhead but since the turn of the year the red hot Greek has netted two hat-tricks for Ange Postecoglou's side and found himself as the Premiership's joint top goalscorer despite missing most of the first half of the season.

Giakoumakis played 68 minutes of Greece's Nations League opener at Windsor Park against Northern Ireland where the visitors ran out narrow 1-0 winners through Anastasios Bakasetas' first half strike, and should be in line to feature as they face Kosovo this evening.

The former Sunderland and Brighton boss said: “We have Giakoumakis who claimed the Golden Boot in Scotland.

“That is not a small thing for any striker.

“We have to see where he can reach in his career.

“It is very good to have players who play at the highest possible level.”

Giakoumakis could be a force to be reckoned with next season, providing he avoid the injury problems he sustained last season.

The Celtic attack could become even more potent and the big Greek is confident there's more to come from him next term.

He said at the end of the season: "Do I have unfinished business? Yes. I want to be fit and healthy all of the season next year so I can reach the numbers I am thinking about.

“But it’s not about a specific number. It’s about scoring in every single game.

“Of course I will be better next season. Right now I feel I’ve maybe shown 70 percent as I didn’t feel fully fit or healthy in the first six months.

“It will be totally different when I get a full pre-season. I hope next season is going to be amazing.

“I am confident about next season because of the players around me. You need the players around you to be the top goalscorer – because someone has to give you it!

“I have a lot of confidence in my teammates as you know you will have a lot of chances.

“It’s about making sure you are clinical."

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