Tomoki Iwata has checked in as Celtic's sixth signing from Japan under Ange Postecoglou – but it looks as if Giorgos Giakoumakis could be heading in the opposite direction.
Record Sport revealed J-League big spenders Urawa Reds Diamonds have tabled a bid of around £4million for the striker with Celtic eyeing a move for South Korea international Cho Gue-sung as a potential replacement.
Sampdoria are also interested in Giakoumakis. But Hoops on the Hotline would rather he stayed put. Paul Price, Belfast, said: “For the life of me I can’t understand why we’re selling big Giak, a proven goalscorer who stepped up to the plate last season when Kyogo was injured. Instead of paying £3million for Cho why not use it to tie down Giak and Liel Abada on better contracts?”
David Kirkpatrick emailed: “Giakoumakis’ goal return of almost one every two games is exceptional and he offers something completely different to Kyogo. I’m worried Celtic could live to regret it if he moves on.” Speaking of strikers, Alfredo Morelos’ future at Rangers remains up in the air with no new deal being signed.
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “The Daily Record jury was asked should Morelos stay or go? Who cares after Rangers missed out on a massive £16million they'd only now get chicken feed for him. The question to be asked is; should sporting director Ross Wilson still be there? Not only losing £16m, along with so many poor signings and now several more unknown low cost signings to come. Honestly their 56th flag looks ever so far away. Graeme Souness should be in Wilson's place, he's been there and done it.”
Hibs fan John Scott, Grassmoor, reckons Kevin Nisbet’s goalscoring form could prove bittersweet.
He said: “Hibs crave stability. It's hard to achieve though. Continually our best players move on. A perfect example is Kevin Nisbet. If he keeps finding the net over the next few games you can bet the rumours about him leaving will resurface in the last week of January. That's why it can be so frustrating supporting a team like the Hibees. We wait for our team to push on. We wait and wait and wait.”
Record Sport revealed the SFA are to hold a VAR summit with clubs next week in a bid to change the controversial handball rule after another weekend of squabbling, mainly over the non-award of a spot kick when the ball struck Rangers defender Connor Goldson on the arm against Dundee United.
Gerard Kelly emailed: “So the SFA are having a summit on VAR handball rules, a bit late! It's an absolute joke. Notice that Rangers are the only club not to concede a penalty with VAR? Wonder why that is?”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Another dodgy handball involving Goldson going Rangers’ way. I’ll say it again, players are cute with these handballs, they know the rules and they’re using it to their advantage. Still no penalties against Rangers. Time for a radical change .. if the ball hits your hand it is a foul.”
Scott Kerr, Knightswood, said: “VAR means Video Assisting Rangers. It’s a joke now, Goldson’s handball again v Dundee United - it’s a clear penalty. Disgraceful officials.” And Paul Keenan emailed: “As a Celtic fan I welcomed the introduction of VAR as I believed it would highlight or decrease the bias of officialdom towards a certain team. D'oh, be careful what you wish for!”
Bud Hay, Dumfries, added: “Rangers should just give Goldson a pair of goalie gloves as he gets away with everything. It doesn’t matter though, the Premiership is won so Rangers fans can start bragging about next season but I’ve got more chance of going to the moon.”
But Kenneth Hutton emailed: “When are Celtic fans going to stop whining about the Connor Goldson handball incident? If I placed a ball one metre from your face and kicked it as hard as I could then you would not be able to stop your hands going up to protect your face? It's a natural reaction.”
Dr Robert Pender emailed: “It is now an absolute farce this handball rule. Make it simple move your hand or arm in a positive way to stop the ball and its a penalty. Stop this farce of fake penalty calls."
Finally, Ian Renton, Johnstone, took the debate away from handball but not from referees. He said: “I’d like to see referees and VAR intervening to stop the epidemic of jersey pulling. In Rangers game against Dundee United, Colak was almost hauled to the ground by McMann and Goldson was also being pulled at the same time. Both incidents would have been free kicks anywhere else on the park but it seems to be allowed at corners. Otherwise I thought that the United team put on a great performance against us and I’m sure they will start to move up the table.”
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