Celtic news: Pundit issues bold Giorgos Giakoumakis claim after what he’s seen – ‘amazing’
Giorgos Giakoumakis is “by far” the best striker at Celtic – with the Hoops left feeling his absence against Rangers on Sunday (17 April).
That is according to former Aberdeen striker Noel Whelan, who was speaking exclusively to Football Insider in the wake of the 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat at Hampden Park.
Daizen Maeda led the line for the Parkhead side during the loss, with Jota and Liel Abada providing support from the flanks.
Giakoumakis was absent for Sunday’s clash after limping out of the 7-0 win against St Johnstone earlier this month (9 April).
Whelan insisted the forward’s presence was sorely missed during the Old Firm game.
The Greek hitman’s performance against Rangers earlier this month was branded “amazing” (5 April) by the former Leeds striker.
“He’s by far the best striker Celtic have at the moment,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He gives you the work rate, the stature, and the physicality which can really trouble teams. We saw that during the last Old Firm game. They couldn’t handle him.
“That’s what Celtic were missing on Sunday. Someone a little bit more robust, who can really work the two centre-halves into areas they don’t want to go into.
“I think with the way he’s playing, it’s hard not to miss a player like that – he gives you such a focal point and he’s not a bad goalscorer either.”
Giakoumakis, who joined Celtic for a reported £2.1million, has netted 13 goals in 24 games this term.
The Hoops sit six points clear atop the Scottish Premiership with five games remaining.
In other news, Daizen Maeda among three Celtic stars slammed by pundit as ‘huge’ claim issued post-Rangers.