Greece international Fotis Ioannidis is ‘ready’ to sign a new contract at Panathinaikos with Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic likely to miss out on a long-term transfer target, according to Trifilara.
History is littered with centre-forwards who, while far from the most prolific, are absolutely integral to the set-up of their team. See Olivier Giroud; goalless but influential during France’s 2018 World Cup triumph.
Emile Heskey with England. Wout Weghorst, perhaps, at Manchester United.
Fotis Ioannidis, in 31 games this season, has scored just three goals. But there is a reason why he remains one of the first names on the team sheet for a Shamrocks side two points clear of AEK Athens at the top of the Greek Super League table.
Celtic look set to miss out on Fotis Ioannidis of Panathinaikos
“(Ioannidis) is the ultimate example that whoever works hard will always be rewarded,” writes SportDog reporter Kostas Goulis.
“No matter how difficult the path, Fotis Ioannidis is a player who will give everything he has. He doesn’t leave anything on the field.”
It is that intensity, that fearsome work-ethic, which may have earned Ioannidis the admiration of Celtic; a side who, under Postecoglou, defend from the front with their high-energy, high-pressing style.
The Hoops, according to SportDay, have been watching the Greece international for a number of years. But, with Ioannidis now set to sign a new deal with Panathinaikos, Celtic’s wait will go on.
Panathinaikos, Trifilara add, believe that Ioannidis should be rewarded for his efforts with a pay rise. After winning the Greek Cup in 2022, Ioannidis may soon have a Super League winners’ medal to show for a season which he has silenced those who said he lacked the finishing touch to really thrive at a club with title-winning ambitions.
Celtic cruising towards another title
Celtic, like Panathinaikos, are top of the table and closing in on domestic glory. Postecoglou’s side hammered St Mirren 5-1 this weekend; January recruit Oh Hyeon-Gyu coming off the bench to score just his second Celtic goal from the penalty spot.
The Glasgow giants now have 250 goals in less than 100 games under the former Australia boss.
“We always know in these kind of games, we’ll overrun the opposition,” Postecoglou tells the BBC.
“Again, a really good impact from the guys coming on (including Hyeon). I thought they were outstanding.
“It doesn’t matter what the opposition are doing and what the context of the game is. It would’ve been very easy say, at 3-1, for us to just cruise through the rest of the game. But it’s not who we are. We’re going right to the final whistle.”
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