Celtic’s quest for a domestic treble is still very much on the cards, with today’s clash at Hampden Park a major hurdle in their way.
It’s yet another Old Firm showdown for the Hoops who will be looking to repeat the last performance against the old nemesis. Ange Postecoglou’s men were comfortable winners at Ibrox recently, a win that saw them get a firm hand on the league title.
Will Celtic win the title?
Yes
No
It won’t be easy for them today, not only will the Gers be desperate to get revenge on Celtic, but they look to be without a key player, Giorgos Giakoumakis.
The Greek striker was withdrawn in last week’s victory over St. Mirren in the league as he clutched his hamstring and it appears he will be unable to play a part in the game at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon.
Chris Sutton, in his column for the Daily Record, has been looking ahead to the clash, picking up on the missing Giakoumakis to be a real worry:
“Postecoglou might have a decision to make up-front, with Giorgos Giakoumakis looking like he’ll miss out. The Greek will be a big loss as he’s been a massive player since coming back from the winter break.
“You only have to look at [Rangers’] woeful cup record in the last decade as well to see they need to get their hands on a trophy. They might have lost the last couple of derbies but they are still a more than decent side with players of top ability to hurt teams. Just look at their European run. They might have stumbled domestically this term but they are not some kind of hopeless rabble.”
TIF thoughts on Sutton’s comments…
There’s no doubting that Giakoumakis being out is a blow to Celtic given the form he’s shown this season. He has 13 goals in 24 outings with a solitary assist too.
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He has seven goals in his last five games for Celtic, so to be without a player in such hot form will be a big loss. It’ll put the pressure back on those who are replacing him to produce the same sort of clinical form to give the Hoops the best chance in the clash.
However, the Greek striker has been in such fine form, he did struggle in the derby the other week as he failed to even register a single shot on target (via Sofa Score).
Postecoglou is blessed with his attacking options, he still has the likes of Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi to call upon as well as Liel Abada among others.
In other news, update on Tom Rogic’s future