Kenny names Celtic summer signing that will ‘push Rangers for title’
Celtic have landed an “absolute bargain” by choosing to replace Odsonne Edouard with Greek goalscorer Georgios Giakoumakis.
So says ex-Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after the Hoops confirmed the signing on 31 August.
This site revealed the previous day that Celtic were close to completing a double swoop for Giakoumakis and Benfica winger Filipe Jota.
Both players have now officially signed and a Parkhead source told this site that the deal for Giakoumakis was worth £2.5million.
Celtic have pocketed £15m from the sale of Edouard to Crystal Palace.
And, as revealed by Football Insider earlier today, that figure could be topped up by £5m in performance-related add-ons.
Giakoumakis netted 26 times in 30 matches for VVV-Venlo in the Eredivisie last term, while Edouard scored 16 in 26 in the Scottish Premiership.
And Kenny claims that the 26-year-old’s superior goal record makes him a top-drawer signing for the Hoops.
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “They’ll see that as a great bit of business, it’s the one that really impresses me.
“If you class the Dutch league as similar standard to the Scottish Premiership then that’s an absolute bargain.
“Edouard has gone for £15m and you get someone with an unbelievable goal record in for £2.5m, you’re gonna be happy.
“To score 26 goals in 30 games, he must know where the back of the net is whatever the standard is.
“If he can bang them in at that rate, I’m sure Celtic will be pushing Rangers for that title again.“
In other news, ex-Rangers defender shares £5m reveal after Celtic finalise Cameron Carter-Vickers signing from Tottenham.