Giorgos Giakoumakis is already a big name in Crete but wants the rest of Europe to be talking about him and Celtic after their Champions League assault. The Greek international admitted it was an emotional day when his home village on the island paid tributes to their favourite son during the summer.
He was presented with a special award from his grandad, who is also called Giorgos, for his footballing exploits. Giakoumakis is also very much making a name for himself in Scotland with Celtic. The 27-year-old took time to find his feet but in the second half of last season he showed why Ange Postecoglou was so keen to get him, as his goals helped fire the Hoops to a double.
The additional prize that came with the title was automatic entry to the Champions League and that is where the big striker is keen to make his mark. Giakoumakis, who had a brief taste of it with AEK Athens, said: “I will always try to make an impact whatever I play in. I try to change my level, I try to push myself, to improve myself a lot. The Champions League is something amazing, the best league that a player can play in within the European game. It makes me feel like we are at the top level.”
