Celtic now flip their consideration again in the direction of the Scottish Premiership as they put together to conflict with Hibernian at Parkhead this afternoon.
The Hoops are coming into the match off the again of a 2-0 defeat to Bundesliga aspect RB Leipzig in midweek, which has left them sitting on the backside of their Champions League group.
Ange Postecoglou will certainly be hoping to see a response from his crew in opposition to Hibs as they give the impression of being to increase their two-point lead on the high of the Scottish top-flight table.
When he involves choosing his beginning XI for the match, the Australian head coach might decide in opposition to holding Liel Abada within the aspect out on the wing.
The attacker was pressured off within the first half of the defeat to Leipzig earlier this week and, while he has been deemed available for choice, Postecoglou might look to relaxation him for this sport to make sure that the gem doesn’t worsen the knock.
This would go away a large place open on the fitting however the supervisor must herald a centre-forward to interchange the winger – Giorgios Giakoumakis.
The striker was a substitute within the 2-0 loss to the German aspect within the Champions League and must be reinstated into the beginning XI, with Kyogo Furuhashi – who led the road in Europe – shifting both out extensive or right into a quantity 10 function to play off the previous Eredivisie objective machine.
He has solely began one match within the Premiership this season and deserves a run within the crew to indicate what he’s able to, after scoring the winner in opposition to St Johnstone within the ninety fifth minute final weekend.
It was his third objective of the league marketing campaign and his 16th strike in 12 begins within the Scottish top-flight since making the transfer to Parkhead firstly of 2021/22.
A-League author Sacha Pisani beforehand claimed that he is among the Celtic gamers who can “dominate headlines” and his sensational goalscoring report backs that up.
The Greek ahead, who was as soon as dubbed “underrated” by journalist Josh Bunting, has the potential to be a match-winner for the Hoops as he has confirmed that he can rating regularly, plundering 21 objectives and offering one help in 41 outings for the membership thus far.
Therefore, Postecoglou must unleash Giakoumakis in opposition to Hibernian as he’s a menace to opposition defences, and bringing him again into the crew will enable Abada to relaxation, while additionally giving the 27-year-old striker a well-deserved begin after his successful objective final week.
He might be within the headlines once more if he’s at his predatory greatest at Parkhead however it’s right down to the supervisor to supply him the prospect to showcase his expertise over 90 minutes as a substitute of coming off the bench.