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Giorgos Giakoumakis set for Celtic debut despite calf fears

Manager Ange Postecoglou says scans on the Greek's injury have brought better news than expected.

Giorgos Giakoumakis could be set for his Celtic debut this week after a scan allayed fears over his calf problem.

The Greek striker was denied an introduction off the bench against Raith Rovers last week after suffering an injury while warming up.

But the former VVV-Venlo striker, who was the top scorer in the Eredivisie last season, is set to give Ange Postecoglou some much-needed reinforcements up front.

Celtic v Dundee United – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou during his side's 1-1 draw with Dundee United on Sunday (Jane Barlow/PA)

Celtic dropped more points in the cinch Premiership on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee United at Parkhead with centre-forward Albian Ajeti missing a glorious chance by blazing well over from three yards.

When asked about Giakoumakis, the Celtic manager said: "The scan came back actually more positive than we thought so we're hoping he'll get back into training this week, which is good news because he's missed a fair bit.

"It wasn't just the injury which we thought might be significant. We thought he might have to go back into rehab.

"But the fact the scan has come back pretty good means he can get back out training again."

Celtic v Dundee United – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park
Celtic's Ismaila Soro (left) and Dundee United's Peter Pawlett battle for the ball during their draw on Sunday (Jane Barlow/PA)

Although Celtic's Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen will come too soon for the striker on Thursday, Postecoglou is hopeful he could feature at Aberdeen on Sunday.

"He only really missed two days of training and had a session (on Sunday)," Postecoglou added. "Hopefully he'll be back training with the group early in the week."

The former Australia head coach saw his injury issues mount further when Josip Juranovic (tight hamstring) and James McCarthy (knock) suffered first-half injuries against United.

Celtic were already missing eight players and had no experienced attacking options to come off the bench.

"We've just got to get through to the next international break," Postecoglou said.

"By then Giorgos should be available and Kyogo (Furuhashi) isn't too far away and so is Cal (Callum McGregor).

"James Forrest and Mikey Johnston will come back to help us – we're hoping post international break."

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Celtic coach Ange Postecoglou pictured on August 12, 2021
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
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3Motherwell21015053-340
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First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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