GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS is on stand-by to play against St Mirren at Parkhead tomorrow night as Celtic continue their quest for Premiership points.
Tales of an imminent departure for the Greek international striker to J-League giants Orawa Red Diamonds have proved to be premature, as CQN reported earlier today.
It is increasingly looking as though Giakoumakis WILL leave the club in this transfer window, but while he is still a Hoops player manager Ange Postecoglou will utilise his skills.
QUESTION TIME…Ange Postecoglou fires the answers back in the media conference. Image courtesy Celtic TV.
The Greek-Australian gaffer underlined that fact at the weekend when the £2.5million arrival from Dutch outfit VVV-Venlo in August 2021 was sent on as a 74th-minute substitute for Kyogo Furuhashi and claimed the killer goal in stoppage-time to give the holders a 2-0 Viaplay Cup semi-final win over Kilmarnock.
Unless something dramatic happens overnight, it will be the same situation with Giakoumakis available for selection as the hosts go into action against the only Scottish team to beat them this season.
Talking about the up-to-date situation, a positive Postecoglou, speaking to Celtic TV, said: “It is pretty much the same. As I said, Michael [Nicholson] is dealing with all that stuff and, as we sit right here, nobody is leaving or coming.
“There is always going to be speculation around the place.
“But from our perspective at this moment there is nothing definite happening.”
HIGH FIVES…Josip Juranovic congratulates Giorgos Giakoumakis on his goal against Kilmarnock.
It’s a similar situation with Josip Juranovic who has been linked with a move away from the champions before the end of the month.
Postecoglou picked him ahead of Alistair Johnston for the Hampden match against Killie after the Canadian World Cup No.2 had made his debut at Ibrox and kept the position for the 2-0 league win over the Rugby Park side.
The Croatian international may again get the nod to face the Paisley club.
