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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Kris Commons reveals the Celtic title theory he doesn't buy as he raves about Giorgos Giakoumakis' signature trait

Kris Commons is convinced red-hot Giorgos Giakoumakis is primed to spearhead Celtic's title charges over the final seven matches.

The former Parkhead star has labelled the man who can't stop scoring the "most lethal striker in the country", after another hat-trick against Ross County.

Talisman Kyogo is closing in on the comeback but Commons believes the big Greek striker has earned a crack at carrying the fight during the monumental title showdown against Rangers.

And the 38-year-old has compared to two of the finest strikers he played with during his own trophy-laden Celtic playing days.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Commons said: "Giakoumakis will almost certainly lead the line at Ibrox. Right now, he is the most lethal striker in the country.

"He is a deadly one-touch finisher and, in that particular area, Celtic fans are already drawing comparisons with Henrik Larsson.

"Giakoumakis clearly isn't shy. You don't take the No 7 jersey at a club like Celtic without the weight of expectation that comes with it.

"It's the iconic jersey worn by Larsson, Kenny Dalglish and Jinky Johnstone.

"Giakoumakis isn't in the same bracket at those three legends.

"But he's a confident boy who is doing the business for Celtic right now. If he can provide the firepower to win a league title, fans will idolise him.

"I played with a couple of really gifted, natural finishers in Gary Hooper and Leigh Griffiths. Giakoumakis is as good as either of them in front of goal.

"But he's a different sort of player. He's more physical than either Hooper or Griffiths. He's built like an absolute tank and clearly loves getting stuck into defenders.

"Giakoumakis confidently stated a few weeks ago that Celtic would win the title and that they have the best squad in the league.

"If you're going to make bold statements like that then you need to be backing it up on the pitch and he's certainly doing that right now."

Commons expects Celtic to continue their fine form in the final weeks of the season with the fixture load easing.

But he doesn't believe fewer games is necessarily a good thing while rivals Rangers march on in the Europa League.

He said: "Celtic look to be just getting stronger and stronger and, while I'm sure they would still like to be involved in European competition, having the extra time to train and prepare is benefiting them.

"Ange Postecoglou strikes me as a proper training-ground coach and having the extra days to work with his players will be invaluable to him.

"I don't buy the theory that just because Celtic are out of Europe that it somehow guarantees them the league title.

"As a footballer, you want to win every competition you're in. Celtic would still much rather be in Europe if it was offered to them.

"Look at how much of a buzz has been around Rangers in recent weeks after they knocked out Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade."

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