GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS could get the opportunity to say farewell to Parkhead in Celtic’s Scottish Cup-tie against Morton this afternoon.
The Greek international striker is included in Ange Postecoglou’s provisional match day squad for the visit of the Greenock club to the east end of Glasgow.
It’s the last game at Celtic Park before the window closes at the end of the month. The Hoops’ final match in January is a week tomorrow at Tannadice, the venue where they demoralised Dundee United 9-0 in a breathtaking performance in August.
THE LAST HURRAH…Giorgos Giakoumakis slots in Celtic’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock a week ago – the strike that could prove to be his final effort for the Hoops.
Giakoumakis rejected an enhanced contract offer from the champions before the turn of the year and it’s odds-on the 28-year-old frontman is heading through the Parkhead exit within the next few days.
Postecoglou could give the nod for the powerhouse attack-leader, who signed a five-year deal when he joined in a £2.5million switch from Dutch minnows VVV-Venlo in August 2021, and give a break to Kyogo Furuhashi.
The Japanese striker, who scored a fabulous double in the 4-0 win over St Mirren in midweek, has been an ever-present since the resumption of club football after the World Cup Finals in Qatar.
Kyogo has claimed seven strikes in the eight games since the completion of the soccer showpiece in the Middle East.
Missing from today’s pool is Josip Juranovic who is on the brink of completing a £10million move to Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin.
GREEN FOR GO…Alistair Johnston is poised to make his fourth first-team appearance against Morton.
Canadian international Alistair Johnston is likely to play his fourth first-team game at right-back after his £3.5million arrival from CF Montreal.
Anthony Ralston is still battling to overcome a troublesome back problem, according to the Daily Record. The Scotland international sustained the injury in the 4-1 win over St Johnstone at Parkhead on Christmas Eve.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, who sustained a knock in last weekend’s Viaplay Cup victory over Kilmarnock, is again missing after sitting out Wednesday’s action against the Paisley club.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS:
Joe Hart, Benji Siegrist, Scott Bain;
DEFENDERS:
Alistair Johnston, Stephen Welsh, Carl Starfelt, Yuki Kobayashi, Bosun Lawal, Moritz Jenz, Alexandro Bernabei;
MIDFIELDERS:
Reo Hatate, Aaron Mooy, Matt O’Riley, Callum McGregor, David Turnbull, Oliver Abildgaard, James McCarthy;
FORWARDS:
Liel Abada, James Forrest, Sead Haksabanovic, Kyogo Furuhashi, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Daizen Maeda and Filipe Jota.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Morton this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
