---
title: "Celtic: Ange Postecoglou shuts down Giorgos Giakoumakis absence claims"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-giorgos-giakoumakis-latest-transfer-news-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2023-01-19T19:35:52Z"
modified: "2023-01-19T19:35:52Z"
---

# Celtic: Ange Postecoglou shuts down Giorgos Giakoumakis absence claims

**[Celtic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/) manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Giorgos Giakoumakis was ‘injured’ for the [Scottish Premiership](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premiership-news/) game vs St. Mirren on Wednesday, according to Sky Sports reporter [Anthony Joseph](https://twitter.com/AnthonyRJoseph).**

### The Lowdown: Absence fears sparked

The Hoops secured an emphatic 4-0 victory over their opponents in midweek to remain [nine](https://www.skysports.com/scottish-premier-table) points clear at the top of the table, but fears were sparked when the 28-year-old was absent from the match-day squad.

The Greece international is currently [assessing](https://twitter.com/AnthonyRJoseph/status/1615848376456601601) his options with the Glasgow outfit having agreed a deal for him to join Urawa Red Diamonds, and despite [reports](https://twitter.com/mhendry92/status/1615782702745092096) suggesting he could have played his last game for the club, it appears that isn’t actually the case.

### The Latest: Postecoglou’s update

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/anthonyrjoseph/status/1615832236070248452?s=46&t=rK2FOzFxmOUzTOW8Dv04rg), Joseph relayed Postecoglou’s post-match update explaining Giakoumakis’s absence, where the boss was quick to shut down exit claims.

“Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou says Giorgos Giakoumakis was injured for tonight and would’ve played otherwise.”

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### The Verdict: Fantastic servant

Giakoumakis only arrived at Parkhead in the summer of [2021](https://www.celticfc.com/news/2021/august/Celtic-sign-Giorgos-Giakoumakis-on-a-five-year-deal/) but has been a fantastic servant during his spell north of the border, and with an exit likely on the verge regardless of his injury, he will be missed.

The Heraklion native has recorded [28](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/georgios-giakoumakis/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/234850) goal contributions in 57 appearances for the Bhoys and is currently averaging [2.3](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/347809/Show/Giorgos-Giakoumakis) shots per league game, displaying his prolific form in the final third – only [Kyogo Furuhashi](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/103/Show/Scotland-Celtic) fires more efforts at goal in this Hoops squad.

Celtic do have other excellent attacking options in the building but it’s likely that the manager will have to enter the market to find a suitable replacement for the striker before the end of the window.

\[freshpress-poll id=”421570″\]