Giorgos Giakoumakis Celtic transfer exit stance explained by Gus Poyet as Greece boss details major Parkhead fear

Poyet has pledged to include the frontman in the international set-up no matter where he moves this month.

Greece boss Gus Poyet has revealed Giorgos Giakoumakis is looking to leave Celtic over a lack of game time for the Scottish champions this term.

The towering Greek frontman is expected to leave Celtic Park before the end of the transfer window with a number of teams interested in signing the 28-year-old, with the Urawa Red Diamonds offering a bumper package to secure a move to the J-League. Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou admitted he left Giakoumakis out of hi s Scottish Cup romp against Morton because of "a few things going on in the background", having also missed out on the Viaplay Cup semi-final clash with Kilmarnock last weekend.

International boss Poyet has offered his opinion why he believes the striker has decided to leave Celtic. The former Brighton and Sunderland boss also insisted a move to the Japanese league would not end Giakoumakis chances on the international stage. Poyet said: "Giorgos is a strong character, he likes to play football, he gives you 100 per cent all the time. That's why he's so popular with Celtic. He's got better in front of goal and scored a few goals.

"But this season he wasn't playing regularly. He felt he wanted to play. At first I heard it was this team in Japan he was going to sign for and now I hear it's the team in MLS. I always tell any player when they ask for my opinion that they have to make good decisions. The more good decisions you make in your career, the better your career gets.

"But wherever he is in the world, he will be in the national team if he doesn't have injury problems. I like him a lot and he is an important member of the Greek national team and I hope he makes the right decision for himself and for the national team."

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