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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

Ange Postecoglou faces Celtic headache over Kyogo and Giakoumakis as pundit pitches curveball derby solution

Ange Postecoglou has one of the biggest decisions of his Celtic career to make on Sunday, according to pundit Simon Donnelly.

The Premiership leaders take on Rangers at Parkhead knowing a win effectively guarantees them the title.

Victory in Sunday's derby would put them nine points clear with three games to play, but their far superior goal difference would put them out of reach.

It's a huge game and from a Celtic perspective there has been much debate over who should lead the line.

Kyogo and Giorgos Giakoumakis have both stated their case with 30 goals between them this season and they provide completely different options up top.

It's the first time this season they have both been fit at the same time and pundit Donnelly, speaking on Sky Sports, isn't sure what Postecoglou should do for the best.

He says the choice between them is the key decision ahead of Sunday's clash.

He also didn't rule out throwing a derby day curveball by fitting both into the starting lineup.

Donnelly said: "Giakoumakis brings that physical presence that Kyogo doesn't have.

"They're two very different strikers and I think this is the first time Ange is going to have a big decision to make because they're both fit now.

"Giakoumakis came in at the turn of the year and his goal ratio was brilliant. 12, 13 goals, two hat-tricks in there.

"He filled that void that Kyogo created coming out on Boxing Day with an injury.

"Now he's back, scoring at Dingwall at the weekend. It's a headache but it's one managers want.

"It will be interesting to see who leads the line and it'll also be interesting to see if there's a position for both of them in the starting 11."

Kyogo maintains a reputation as Celtic's man for the big occasions and even if he isn't fully fit, Donnelly would have no qualms about throwing him in at the deep end in the derby.

When asked if Postecoglou will be happy to start him, Donnelly went on: "I think so. You only have to look back to the cup final, he wasn't at full speed, he started that game and scored two fantastic finishes.

"He's a big game player, his movement's excellent. He was very clever at the weekend, peeling off and it was a great cross from Jota for his header.

"That's the big decision. Do both of them start or do you have one on the bench to come on and freshen it up?

"Kyogo is still the number one striker here but Giakoumakis has run him close recently and that's probably why Celtic are where they are. Kyogo has come out and Giakouamkis has come in and done so well."

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