Forget Maeda: Ange must unleash "decisive" 62-goal machine, he can be Celtic's "hero" - opinion

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side head into Thursday evening’s Europa Conference League clash knowing that they must put on a perfect performance if they are to have any hope of securing a spot in the next round of the competition.

Indeed, with Bodo/Glimt having run out 3-1 winners at Parkhead last week, the Bhoys now need to secure victory by three clear goals to win the tie, or two clear goals to take the fixture to extra-time.

As such, the 56-year-old Hoops boss simply must get his team selection absolutely spot on against the Norweigan outfit, with Giorgos Giakoumakis, following his impressive hat-trick against Dundee FC last weekend, appearing to be a must in Postecoglou’s starting XI tonight.

While the 27-year-old’s career in Glasgow got off to something of a slow start, scoring one goal over his first nine outings for Celtic, as well as being sidelined for a considerable number of games as a result of a knee injury, the centre-forward has burst into life in recent weeks, bagging five strikes over his last nine appearances.

The most recent of the Greek international’s haul came on Sunday, when the £1.8m-rated hitman scored all three of the Hoops’ goals in a close-fought 3-2 victory over the bottom of the table Dundee FC.

Following his match-winning display, The Athletic’s Celtic correspondent, Kieran Devlin, said of the £8.2k-per-week centre-forward: “Giakoumakis is a flawed player, but he also works tirelessly hard and, as yesterday highlighted, is capable of producing important and decisive moments. Very early days still, but all those ingredients hold the potential for a cult hero.”

As such, with Postecoglou’s side in need of both goals and a hero at the Aspmyra Stadion on Thursday night, the 62-goal sensation