Blow for Celtic as Giorgos Giakoumakis ruled out of Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers

Celtic have been dealt a blow with news that striker Giorgos Giakoumakis will not be fit to play in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

Giakoumakis was taken off after scoring in the 7-0 win over St Johnstone last weekend and Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou was waiting to find out the extent of his hamstring injury.

The manager confirmed on Friday that the Greek striker hasn’t recovered in time to play and will miss out on the Hampden showdown against Rangers.

Giakoumakis has been in impressive form for Celtic as they pursue a domestic treble, scoring 12 times since the winter break.

“With Giakoumakis, the prognosis wasn’t anything too serious,” Postecoglou said. It will probably keep him out this weekend but we are pretty confident he will be available next weekend. David Turnbull trained and is fine, James Forrest trained and is fine as well.”

Celtic will now look to alternatives as they aim to beat their rivals and reach the Scottish Cup final.

Kyogo Furuhashi returned to action last week but Postecoglou said on Friday that the Japanese forward isn’t yet fit enough to play 90 minutes. Daizen Maeda or Liel Abada could take up a central striking role.

Postecoglou said: “I don’t think he is ready to play 90 or 120 (minutes) but he’s ready to play. He was back in and got some match minutes last weekend and he has had two solid weeks of training with the group.

“We train pretty hard and he has matched those levels so that means he is ready to play. Can he see out 90 or 120? Unlikely because he has been out for so long but he is ready to play and that’s the important thing.”