Georgios Giakoumakis has ‘upset the applecart’ at Celtic after manager reveal – expert
Alex McLeish has insisted losing Georgios Giakoumakis to injury has “upset the applecart” at Celtic.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider’s Russell Edge, the former Scotland manager suggested the dressing room were “demoralised” by the 27-year-old’s absence in the 2-1 defeat to Rangers last weekend.
As quoted by Radio Clyde 1 (15 April), Ange Postecoglou revealed he is “pretty confident” Giakoumakis will return for Sunday’s trip to Ross County after missing the Scottish Cup semi-final.
The hitman sat the trip to Hampden Park out due to a hamstring injury.
McLeish hailed Giakoumakis’ impact at Parkhead this season and insisted he was sorely missed by Postecoglou’s men last weekend.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Giakoumakis, when he first came in we saw a couple of good things.
“Overhead kicks, that kind of thing, and I thought: ‘Oof, he likes to get in the box and he’s going to be a dangerous player.’
“Sure enough, he’s banged in a barrel load for Celtic. He’s a very, very dangerous player.
“We speak about how a team losing one player can upset the applecart. Giakoumakis was really, really missed by Celtic.
“The Rangers defence would have been more relaxed as well. Maybe inspiring them to play to their best levels.
“When you see what one guy can do, it can be a big weight off the shoulders. It can demoralise the team who lose him.”
Giakoumakis has scored 13 goals in 24 appearances for Celtic this season.
He joined the Bhoys last summer after scoring 29 times in 33 games for VVV-Venlo.
In other news, Daizen Maeda among three Celtic stars slammed by pundit as ‘huge’ claim issued post-Rangers.