It was a refreshing second of honesty in a sport the place gamers and managers will bounce by way of hoops to keep away from saying what they actually assume.
In February, Giorgos Giakoumakis had people gasping and jaws dropping when he claimed Celtic had been higher than Rangers in each division and insisting the trophy was destined for Parkhead.
It turned out the massive Greek may do a flip touring alongside Mystic Meg.
Giakoumakis caught by his phrases regardless of just a few noses being out out of joint throughout town and vindication arrived in midweek when his thumping header towards Dundee United delivered the title in Ange Postecoglou ’s first marketing campaign as supervisor.
Nobody was going to disclaim the striker his large ‘I advised you so’ second.
Giakoumakis chuckled as he stated: “I've been proved right – thank God!
“I simply stated we'd be champions as a result of I felt we had been one of the best group and taking part in one of the best soccer.
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“It was about believing in my group and nothing else. I used to be being sincere. I wasn’t attempting to select a combat with anybody – it was what I believed.
“May I say I advised you so? Precisely! We gained the title so it was the reality.
“It wasn’t one thing we didn't anticipate, to be sincere. We labored exhausting each single day from the primary to the final and tried to enhance ourselves in each coaching session and sport. It was all price it.”
It simply needed to be Giakoumakis delivering the telling blow within the title race. The frontman has talked the speak however backed it up by strolling the stroll.
Now he’s trying ahead to as we speak’s lap of honour towards Hearts.
The previous AEK Athens and VVV Venlo hitman stated: “It was actually fulfilling on the floor on Wednesday and again at Celtic Park afterwards.
“However that was simply half one of many social gathering. Now we've got the massive one once we get the trophy.
“It was one thing very nice to attain the objective. I celebrated the objective as regular as I didn’t assume that will be the one to safe the title.
“Ultimately all of us celebrated the identical approach as a result of it didn't matter who scored.
“Nevertheless it was very nice to do it in entrance of our followers. They had been superb for us and I dedicate the objective to them.”
Celtic have a squad stuffed with heroes this time period however the Giakoumakis journey is as particular as any.
The 27-year-old was a late arrival, struggled to stand up to health, fluffed an important penalty towards Livingston again within the bumpy days of autumn after which bought injured when warming as much as come off the bench.
Giakoumakis is aware of the punters had their doubts – however he knew he would win them over.
He stated: “After I got here I hadn’t had a correct pre-season and I didn’t play many video games.
“Then I bought a knee damage and wanted some surgical procedure. It was a tricky interval for me.
“We dropped factors towards Livingston as a result of I missed the penalty and it was a tricky one to attempt to overlook. At the moment the followers didn’t know what I used to be able to on the sector. They'd their doubts, which was truthful to be sincere.
“However within the second half of the season I managed to attain some targets and assist my group win the title.
“That is what makes me so completely satisfied. Since January I proved myself and I really like the true connection I've with the followers now.
“It’s one of the best feeling. It offers me big motivation to play in entrance of them and share my targets.
“It’s such a singular feeling celebrating with these supporters. I adore it.”
The supporters will salute their
stars at Celtic Park this afternoon – and in addition say goodbye to some departing heroes.
Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton will bid farewell after nearly a decade in Glasgow and Giakoumakis reckons the pair will get some ship off.
The Greece ace additionally sees the pair as an inspiration for what he may be capable of obtain – or perhaps even surpass – throughout his keep in Scotland.
It may be exhausting going with the duo hoovering up 30 main honours between them however Giakoumakis all the time likes to goal large.
He stated: “They deserve an enormous reception. They've written their names within the historical past of Celtic.
“I'm actually completely satisfied to have labored with them and bought to know them as soccer gamers and as individuals.
“They've gained a lot with the group over time and we want all of them one of the best for the longer term. This can be a big day for them. They're one of the best examples to me for the longer term right here.
“For those who keep at Celtic a very long time you would win the identical or much more. That is one thing they need to really feel actually proud about.
“It is a membership the place you'll be able to win a whole lot of trophies. That's the goal yearly however you must exit and do it. I'm trying ahead to the longer term.”
Giakoumakis desires to kick off the social gathering with one other win earlier than he gears up for Greece’s hectic Nations League run in June.
He stated: “I can’t loosen up as a result of I've worldwide obligation! However I'll benefit from the social gathering and there's not an excessive amount of strain.
“However whenever you play for Celtic there's motivation to win each sport, whether or not you may have the title or not.
“Our followers can be there to assist us so it’s as much as us to win for them.”