Postecoglou explains why Giakoumakis took the Celtic penalty

Celtic missed out on a golden opportunity to go top of the Scottish Premiership table after they could only manage a 0-0 draw against Livingston. And the biggest discussion coming out of the game will surely be Giorgos Giakoumakis’ penalty miss and why Josip Juranovic did not take it. Ange Postecoglou has explained the decision.

It was turning out to be a frustrating game for Postecoglou’s side and it looked like they would have to satisfied with a draw. But they had the chance to nick a win late on when Celtic were awarded a spot kick.

Surprisingly, it was Giakoumakis who stepped up to take it and could not convert. Hearts and Dundee United both losing means that Celtic will hold on to the second spot for the time being but this result gives the Rangers the opportunity to open up a four point lead at the top of the Premiership table.

Naturally, many will question the decision to let Giakoumakis take the penalty kick when Juranovic was on the pitch but it looks like that was always in the plans. While speaking to BBC Radio Scotland and as reported by 67 Hail Hail, the manager said:

"“It was my decision to have Giakoumakis on penalties. I made that decision a couple of games ago. He wasn’t on the pitch when we got the last one so Juranovic took it. He was on the pitch so he was the designated taker today.”"

Celtic draw gives the Rangers the opportunity to open up a four point gap

The biggest disappointment will be the fact that Celtic could have so easily been sitting at the top of the Premiership table right now. Instead, they have handed Steven Gerrard’s side the opportunity to extend their lead to four points.

But this is not the time to panic. We are still very early in the season and this is a marathon, not a race.

Clearly some of the decisions did not work out today and the Hoops were nowhere near their best. The important thing now will be to keep moving forward and getting results in the upcoming couple of games before we head into another international break.