John Hartson has urged Celtic to sort out the contract situation with Giorgos Giakoumakis. But he’s adamant that Kyogo has to start up front against Rangers.
The Greek striker could be set for a Parkhead exit after Record Sport reported talks over a new contract broke down. Giakoumakis wants more regular game time than he’s getting, while the terms on offer weren’t to his liking. That could see the Hoops entertain offers for him in January if they can’t come to an agreement.
But Hartson is keen for a solution to be found. He reckons his former club finally have two forwards that can be trusted to score goals when it matters and is desperate to see both kept happy if there’s a way to do it. But as for who he wants to and thinks will start at Ibrox on January 2, there’s only one choice as far as the big Welshman is concerned.
“When you’re a centre forward, you can bring Giakoumakis off the bench. Kyogo has three goals in his last three games," Hartson told Go Radio. "He’s been questioned and the supporters have been asking why isn’t Giakoumakis starting?
“He had a little bit of a run for two of three games, Kyogo, when he hadn’t scored. But he’s banging in the goals again and I think you play your form players.
“Giakoumakis is a brilliant option to bring off the bench. He won’t be happy being on the bench and I really hope that Celtic can find a way to keep both of the, Giakoumakis certainly.
"He wants to play regularly and feels as if he’s proved his worth in the games that he has played. His record per game in terms of scoring rate is magnificent.
"But the contract situation isn’t helping anybody. I would love them both to stay but something is going to have to give.
“The club are going to have to pay him more money, or the player is going to have to settle for that contract. He might look at other offers, I don’t know.
“But it’s the first time in a while that Celtic have had two really good centre forwards that you can trust to go in and score goals for them. They’re very different players as well.
“Giakoumakis is more of a physical type and he’ll get on the end of crosses. Kyogo will run in behind and make clever little runs. But I think Kyogo will start and Giakoumakis might well feature.”
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