GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS is struggling to make his comeback in the crucial Premiership encounter with St Mirren at Parkhead tomorrow night.
The Greek striker netted a hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Dundee in the east end of Glasgow 10 days ago, but missed the goalless draw against Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday through illness.
With hamstring victim Kyogo Furuhashi missing his 13th consecutive game of 2022, there were hopes Giakoumakis, who has claimed five strikes since the turn of the year and seven in total, would be fit to lead the line against the Paisley outfit.
However, Ange Postecoglou, speaking to the Daily Record, admitted: “Giako is still 50-50. He is better. I will probably make a decision on him tomorrow morning.
“If I had to make a call, he probably won’t start, but he might be involved.
“However, I will wait and see how he’s feeling.”
Japanese raider Daizen Maeda, who has collected four goals since his Hogmanay arrival with compatriots Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi, struggled to make an impact against Shaun Maloney’s tight defence in Edinburgh.
Postecoglou could spring a surprise and bring in 14-goal Liel Abada from the flank to lead the attack – as he has done in the past – but it will all depend on how the Greek-Australian gaffer rates the match fitness of Giakoumakis early tomorrow.
With 10 league games still to play, Celtic go into the match with a three-point advantage over their nearest challengers.
