Celtic Hampden injury worry for Giorgos Giakoumakis and Kyogo starting berth doubt

Ange Postecoglou saw Giorgos Giakoumakis limp out of Celtic’s dominant win over St Johnstone, casting doubt over his Scottish Cup semi-final prospects against Rangers next week, but says his squad is at its’ healthiest all season after a resounding win over St Johnstone.

Kyogo Furuhashi’s long-awaited comeback was a highlight, but Postecoglou praised his entire team through to those used off the bench or not involved at all, after the rout which boosted his side’s goal difference advantage even further.

Hampden may come too early to start the Japanese international, and Celtic will now await further analysis of Giakoumakis’ injury – but Postecoglou says his squad is in a good place, regardless.

"He felt something in his hamstring,” Postecoglou explained of the Greek striker, who was substituted two minutes after scoring the second goal in the 7-0 win. “It’s one of those where we won’t know until we re-assess him. He has carried an enormous load for us the last few weeks and worked really hard, and I’m disappointed for him and hopefully it doesn’t keep him out of the run-in.”

The manager did confirm though that Furuhashi would be involved more, but his return managed carefully. He resisted the temptation to make a direct swap in the first half but expects to be able to call upon the forward against Rangers.

“Whenever someone is out for a significant amount of time we have to be a bit more careful. I wouldn’t think we would be throwing him in, say next week if you are asking that. I doubt he’d be starting next week but if we can get him some more game-time in the next couple of weeks then in the last three or four games he’d be ready to start."

He went on: “We’ll have James Forrest hopefully back next week and the