Whelan makes bold Giakoumakis claim after double Celtic signing update
Noel Whelan has insisted a Celtic move for Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis would be an “impressive signing”.
The ex-Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the signing would help provide firepower in order to keep up with Rangers.
Football Insider today (August 30th) revealed that Celtic are close to completing a double swoop, with Giakoumakis set to sign for the Parkhead club pending the completion of a medical.
Portuguese winger Filipe Jota, 22, is also set to join from Benfica.
Giakoumakis will depart Dutch second division club VVV-Venlo for a fee of around £2.5million.
It is accepted by Celtic chiefs that Odsonne Edouard could depart the club before the August 31 transfer deadline.
But Whelan claimed that Giakoumakis will provide much-needed competition for the Hoops forwards that remain.
“It’s never easy scoring goals – it’s a skill,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“It doesn’t matter what level it is; you still have to know where the back of the net is.
“I think Celtic definitely do need more firepower; another striker wouldn’t do them any harm.
“If you look at Rangers and the options they have going forward, they need that competition.
“They could probably get him at a great price, so it’s an impressive signing.”
The Greece international scored 26 goals in 30 games for VVV-Venlo last season but was powerless to avoid the club’s relegation from the Eredivisie.
Giakoumakis will bolster Celtic’s front line, which currently boasts Alban Ajeti, Leigh Griffiths and Edouard.
New Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou has been active in the transfer market, bringing in no fewer than nine new faces.
In other news, Celtic are set to lose out on another target – with the midfielder heading for a Championship move.