Giorgos Giakoumakis' latest injury setback may only strengthen Ange Postecoglou's desire to bring in Daizen Maeda in January, The Celtic Way's Tony Haggerty writes.

The lowdown

Summer signing Giakoumakis missed Saturday's Scottish League Cup semifinal against St Johnstone after struggling with a knee issue during the international break.

The Greek international has been limited to just two league starts since joining from VVV-Venlo.

And Celtic have begun looking for alternative forward options, with Yokohama F Marinos striker Maeda on their radar.

The £990,000-rated 24-year-old has banged in 21 goals in 38 appearances this season (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

Giakoumakis' knee problem will, Haggerty reckons, 'set alarm bells ringing with Ange and the supporters'.

In his opinion, it makes Postecoglou all the more likely to request the signing of Maeda in the mid-season market.

It would be 'no surprise' to see him join the Celtic ranks at the turn of the year, generating 'stiff competition' for places.

The verdict

Celtic are aware of what Giakoumakis is capable of. They brought him in off the back of a 26-goal, Golden-Boot winning campaign in the Netherlands.

But that ability will count for little without availability, and this week's setback is by no means the first for Giakoumakis.

The worry now, if this transfer materialises, is that he slips to third in the pecking order behind Kyogo Furuhashi and Maeda, meaning he might struggle to get the run of games he needs to build up sharpness.

In other news, the Hoops are still keen on this EFL target.