Giorgos Giakoumakis makes blunt claim about why he left Celtic

Giorgos Giakoumakis had a short yet memorable run at Celtic. He was at the club only a season-and-a-half but was able to make a lot of positive contributions during that period of time. The most important of them was his run of form in the second half of the 2021/22 season when Kyogo was out injured.

Giakoumakis did not have a good first half of that season, struggling for both form and fitness. But when Kyogo got injured in December, Celtic needed someone to step up and the Greek striker did just that.

Giakoumakis' run of form was instrumental in Celtic winning the league that season, something that pretty much nobody had expected. Also, he somehow ended up finishing as the league's top goalscorer.

Yet, Giakoumakis remained the backup striker when Kyogo was fit and available. His contract situation was not ideal as well. And ultimately, he would end up leaving not too long afterwards to join Atlanta United in the MLS, leaving behind a gap that Celtic have not been able to fill yet.

Giorgos Giakoumakis makes blunt claim about why he left Celtic

Giakoumakis has now shed some light on the circumstances surrounding his exit. As reported by the Glasgow Times, he said on the Offside with Taylor Twellman podcast

"I said, ‘Okay, you know what? Now you have to give me what I deserve. I was waiting. And then they said no."

Giakoumakis was not a fan of the Glasgow weather either. The Greek striker further added:

"One year in Glasgow and I went out with my son in the park one time. That is miserable. I said (to Midtjylland) 'Thank you, but I at least need the normal weather' - that was the reason."

Ultimately, it has proven to be a good move on the part of Giakoumakis. He has continued to score consistently for Atlanta United as well and is one of the best players in the MLS right now, proving that his form at Celtic was no fluke.

Celtic, unfortunately, have struggled to find a replacement for him. Oh Hyeon-gyu's future at the club is in doubt already. Adam Idah has shown flashes of quality but he is only on loan from Norwich City and not quite on Giakoumakis' level yet.