Major boost: Kieran Devlin drops teasing Celtic injury update, fans will be buzzing - opinion

Celtic have been handed a major injury boost ahead of their upcoming Premiership clash.

That’s according to a claim made by Kieran Devlin, with The Athletic journalist revealing in a recent Q&A that, after missing the draw with Hibernian on Sunday, Ange Postecoglou confirmed that Giorgos Giakoumakis was absent due to illness, but suggested the 27-year-old could be available for the visit of St. Mirren on Wednesday.

In response to a question asking why the centre-forward was not involved against Hibs, Devlin replied: “He’s ill, Postecoglou hopes he’s back for Wednesday.”

While life at Parkhead got off to something of a slow start for Giakoumakis – with the Greek international scoring just one goal over his first nine outings for the Bhoys – the striker has come alive in recent weeks.

Indeed, the £1.8m-rated hitman proved to be the difference in the Hoops’ close-fought encounter with Dundee FC two weekends ago, bagging all three of Celtic’s goals in an unconvincing 3-2 win over the bottom of the table side.

Considering just how much the Bhoys struggled to break Hibs down without the services of the £8.2k-per-week forward on Sunday, with Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada being particularly below-par at Easter Park, it is clear for all to see that the return of Giakoumakis will undoubtedly come as a major boost to Celtic’s chances of securing all three points against St. Mirren.

Indeed, with the Premiership title race being an extremely close-run contest this season, Postecoglou’s will be well aware that his side simply cannot afford any more slip-ups if they are to give themselves the best possible chance of reclaiming their Scottish crown come May.

As such, the news that Giakoumakis could be set for a return to the starting XI