Celtic’s start to the domestic season has been tremendous. They are leading the Premiership title race by nine points, with the Rangers being closer to third-placed Aberdeen than they are to the Hoops. Ange Postecoglou’s side have also successfully qualified for the semi final of the Scottish League Cup, where they will be taking on Kilmarnock.
Thus, while it might have been smooth sailing for Celtic till now, it looks like the January transfer window could provide some unexpected twists and turns.
Josip Juranovic has already been linked with a move away from the club, while it is believed that the club are closing in on a move for Alistair Johnston of CF Montreal. The Croatian might not be the only Celtic first-team star who could be on his way out of Parkhead in the middle of the season though.
Fresh rumours have also emerged which suggest that the club have failed to agree a contract extension with Giorgos Giakoumakis and that the Greek striker could be leave as early as January. It is safe to say that first-team players leaving in the middle of the season is not ideal.
Celtic player slammed for causing unrest amid rumours
As reported by Glasgow Live, while speaking on Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard, Mark Wilson said:
"“He’s under contract until 2026. I wonder where a story like this comes from? An agent, obviously, and it’s very disappointing.“I’m a bit divided on this. I get that players are maybe promised something to get them to a club and if they do well then then will be rewarded. That should be written into the contract and the terms should be stipulated within that.“What I don’t think can happen is the player does well then says I want an improved contract. The club, in this instance Celtic, put a package together, the player says I’m not having that I’m going to my agent to cause all sorts of panic here. It causes unrest in a camp that is sailing along very nicely.”"
It goes without saying that Celtic would need to bring in a replacement immediately, if Giakoumakis was to indeed leave the club in January.
The Greek international has alternated with Kyogo Furuhashi up front, and he was one of the key reasons why Celtic won the Premiership title last season with his incredible form in the second half of the campaign after a poor start to life in Glasgow.
Let’s see what the future holds for Giakoumakis. Fans would surely not want to see him leave in the middle of the season. But at the same time, it might be counterproductive to hold onto a player, if he does not want to stay.