Alex Jones 
Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Sport
Pundit and former Celtic ace Pierre van Hooijdonk reckons that Celtic fans will not have to wait long for summer signing Giorgos Giakoumakis to bag his first goal in green and white.
The Bhoys take to the field this afternoon in the 3.30pm Europa League tie against Hungarian Champions Ferencvaros and the Dutchman has backed the Greek striker to find the net as he opened up on his playing style.
Hoojidonk is no stranger to Eredivise football in his native country and knows all about the capabilities of Giakoumakis, who shone as the league’s top scorer for VVV-Venlo last season -despite their ultimate relegation to the Eerstedivisie.
Having scored 26 goals to end the season in indomitable and prolific form, van Hooijdonk expects a similarly-high level to be hit at Celtic.
Speaking to David Friel at Scottish Sun, Pierre said of Celtic’s summer signing:
“Giakoumakis is a very good finisher. I was really impressed with him last season. The standard of his goals was very high over the course of the season.
“As a striker myself, I always like to look at the idea behind goals and Giakoumakis makes really good choices. He is good in the air and scored from headers. He chipped goalkeepers, he scored with power and it would be left or right foot.
“There is no doubt in my mind that he can score goals for Celtic. Giakoumakis is a penalty-box player but last season he hardly got the chance to play in that area.
“VVV were a poor team and got relegated. But he got 26 goals in 30 games — it was an amazing record. I’d say he only had about 35 chances to score and he took 26 of them.
“Giakoumakis was very clinical and that is why Celtic have a good striker if they play to his strengths.
“If Giakoumakis can score 26 goals in the Eredivisie in a poor team, what can he do in a Celtic side that is attacking all the time? If you give him service, he will score goals. He’s not Odsonne Edouard. He isn’t a player who can create chances on his own, but I had the same problem during my career!”
Read Celtic Verdict
Ange Postecoglou brought Giakoumakis off the bench in the closing stages of the 2-0 win over Motherwell in the first signs that Giakoumakis could take a more important role following his return from injury.
If he can hit anywhere near the highs of last season, Celtic will have their Odsonne Edouard replacement ready-made for them.
