GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS sealed Celtic’s tenth title in 11 years when he rose to an Anthony Ralston cross to head in powerfully from eight yards in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice on May 11.
Two months earlier, the Greek striker had stuck two into the same rigging as Ange Postecoglou’s men overcame their Tayside opponents 3-0 in the Scottish Cup quarter-final.
On all three occasions, the unfortunate goalkeeper being invited to retrieve the ball from the back of his net was Benji Siegrist.
STRIKING A POSE…Giorgos Giakoumakis acknowledges the support after his goal against Dundee United at Tannadice on May 11 sealed the Premiership for Celtic.
Giakoumakis, therefore, was waiting with a barbed comment when the Swiss netminder signed a four-year deal for the champions in the summer after leaving United at the end of his contract.
The frontman, who claimed 17 goals in his first campaign following his £2.5million arrival from Dutch minnows VVV-Venlo the previous year, welcomed the shotstopper to the club with genuine warmth.
Giakoumakis admitted: “When we first signed him and I met him here, I said: ‘Oh yes, you are my favourite goalkeeper. I’ve scored the most goals.’
“He said: ‘That’s why they signed me because they tried to make you feel happy and confident!'”
ONE…Giorgos Giakoumakis is congratulated by Greg Taylor after making it 2-0 in the Scottish Cup win at Tannadice in March. A disconsolate Benji Siegrist sits it out.
TWO…Giakoumakis hurdles Siegrist as he forces in another goal to make the final score 3-0 over United.
THREE…Giakoumakis is high and mighty as he flashes in Celtic’s title-winner in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United on Tayside on May 11.
For the record, Giakoumakis has also netted a trio against two other Premiership netminders in games at Parkhead – Dundee’s Ian Lawlor in the Hoops’ 3-2 win on February 9 and Ross County’s Ross Laidlaw in a 4-0 victory on March 19.
The frontman, whose debut campaign at the club was hampered with a knee injury which restricted his appearances in the first half of the crusade, also revealed he is thrilled to have been honoured with his own song by the Celtic support.
As Giakoumakis stepped onto the Dingwall pitch in the 3-1 triumph over Ross County at the weekend, he was greeted by a rendition of his personal ditty with fans changing the words to 99 Red Balloons by Nena.
HAIL, HAIl…goalscorer Giorgos Giakoumakis celebrates on Tayside.
The burly attacker, speaking to the Celtic View podcast, said: “I love it whenever they sing my song.
“I just love it. I just enjoy it. It is something that I will always remember.”
The downside, of course, is the opening it has allowed his colleagues to tease him with their own version of the catchy little number.
Giakoumakis added: “This song, sometimes, when we’re celebrating in the training centre with my team-mates, they make fun of me.
“We don’t have it on the stereo, but they sing on their own.”
Loony Tunes at Lennoxtown? Might not be a surefire hit, but as long as the marksman is on song throughout the crusade there will be no complaints.
