Current Livingston coach and Clyde One pundit Marvin Bartley has praised Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis for his impact on the side since coming into form after the January winter break.
Bartley knows first-hand what it is like to come up against Ange Postecoglou’s side, having faced them three times this season and has been left impressed with what he has seen, despite coming away with a win and a draw in two of the games.
Another aspect the ex Hibs midfielder has been impressed by is the impact of summer signing, Giakoumakis, who has played a key role since coming into the side, scoring eight of his nine goals in 2022.
Speaking on Clyde One Superscoreboard, Bartley praised the Greek internationalist for the different aspect he offers this Celtic side when in the starting 11.
“I think [Ange] quickly realised that they have to play differently without Kyogo.
“When he’s in the team, the things he does, they don’t have another striker that can do that. They have other good strikers who have other strengths and have began to play to them.
“That’s why Giakoumakis has come into good form now because they’ve realised how to play with him. He’s not Kyogo; he’s not going to get in the build-up play into the box too often. But he’s been brilliant for them.
“He started slowly. He’s not a target man, though he is a big guy. He wants the ball at his feet, and he scored two goals against Dundee United to take them through in the Cup, also.”
After losing Kyogo on boxing day, many Celtic fans would have potentially been left concerned about the striker position, given the impact he has made.
But, Giakoumakis has done well to fill that void in his own way, providing the Hoops with a different option in forward areas.
He might not be the same, with what he brings in the play style, but at this point, there is no doubting he has an impact on this side, with some crucial goals since the turn of the year and long may that continue in the final eight league games of the season.
