Craig Levein has praised Giorgos Giakoumakis on BBC Sportsound as the Celtic striker was ‘the only player’ alert at Dundee United to score his side’s second in the Scottish Cup tie.
The Bhoys ran out 3-0 victors in the quarter-final affair at Tannadice Park on Monday night with Giakoumakis scoring twice. Callum McGregor had opened the scoring in the first-half with his fourth goal of the season so far, before the Greek struck two in the second period.
Benjamin Siegrist may have felt he could have done more to avoid Giakoumakis doubling Celtic’s lead over Dundee United. The goalkeeper spilled what should have been a routine collection from Daizen Maeda’s cross, with the ball falling invitingly at the forward to net.
Dundee United enjoyed their best spell of the night while searching for an equaliser before Siegrist gifted Celtic’s Giakoumakis possession. But the Bhoys going two up let the Hoops stretch the game, before their £2.5m summer signing from VVV-Venlo secured his brace.
Giakoumakis has now struck home nine goals in 21 games in all competitions since moving to Parkhead. Four of his goals have also come in three Scottish Cup ties, having started all three of their games to date. He has only opened seven of 13 Premiership outings so far.
Levein hails Celtic star Giakoumakis as ‘only player’ alert when scoring
But along with scoring Celtic’s second at Dundee United, Giakoumakis impressed Levein at Tannadice Park with his awareness to read Maeda’s cross and foresee any chance to score.
“We must credit Giorgos Giakoumakis for following in at what looked like a simple save,” Levein said. “He was the only player on the field who had that thought.”
Celtic will now play Old Firm rivals Rangers on the weekend of April 16-17 for a place in the Scottish Cup final. There is also an Edinburgh derby between Hearts and Hibernian in the other semi-final tie at Hampden next month. The final itself then takes place on May 21.
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