Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis insists title race is ‘not over yet’

Giorgos Giakoumakis insists Celtic must keep their focus to the end to ensure they get over the line in the cinch Premiership.

The Hoops moved six points clear of city rivals Rangers after grinding out a 2-1 Glasgow derby victory at Ibrox on Sunday.

While former Celtic defender Alan Stubbs branded the title race “a foregone conclusion” earlier this week, striker Giakoumakis is adamant his team cannot take anything for granted over the closing six games of the season.

“It was a tough game for us on Sunday,” said the Greek.

“It was about passion, duels and fight. They didn’t let us play our game but it was really important for us to win the game.

“We lead the race by six points. It is not over yet but it’s an advantage we have to protect to the end by winning every game.”

Giakoumakis sparked annoyance in the Rangers camp in February when he claimed Celtic were the strongest team in the league in every department.

Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack branded that claim “disrespectful” but Giakoumakis insists he was just stating his opinion at the time.

“I didn’t make those comments to make anyone angry or feel disrespected by me,” he said on Thursday after being named cinch Premiership player of the month for March.

“I said what I believed about my team. I believed at the time we were playing better as a team.

“That’s the only thing I said. I can say also now that we play very good football and I believe in my team. I don’t think it is bad for a player to say their team is the best.”

Giakoumakis is thrilled to have played such an integral part in Celtic pulling clear at the top of the league in the second half of the season after struggling for form and fitness prior to the winter break.

The 27-year-old scored only one goal before