Giorgos Giakoumakis stands by Celtic and Rangers claim

Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis stands by his assertion that Celtic are better than Rangers in EVERY department but says the comments were not meant disrespectfully to his Glasgow rivals

• Giorgos Giakoumakis said it ahead of the derby which Celtic won on Sunday
• Celtic are currently six points clear of their Glaswegian rivals in the league
• Ryan Kent accused the Greek international of being disrespectful 

Giorgos Giokoumakis has stood by his assertion that Celtic are better than Rangers in every department – but insists he didn’t mean his words to insult anyone.

The Greek forward angered the Ibrox camp following his recent claim, with Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack last week saying the remarks were ‘disrespectful’.

Unapologetic after his team-mates backed up his remarks by winning last Sunday’s derby to go six points clear at the top of the Premiership, Giakoumakis is adamant that he was only expressing his strong belief in the ability of his team-mates.

Giorgos Giakoumakis has stood by his claims that Celtic players were better than Rangers’s

‘I didn’t make these comments to make anyone angry or feel disrespected by me,’ he said. ‘I said what I was believing for my team.

‘I believe this time that we played better as a team, that is the only thing I said.

‘I can say also now that we play very good football and I believe in my team.

‘Every player can say that his team is the best. I don’t think this is bad. From now on we have to win the games and do our job.’

Giakoumakis has promised Celtic will remain relentless in their quest to regain the title.

Giorgos Giakoumakis’s hat-trick against Ross County aided Celtic’s title hunt

Last weekend’s pivotal victory at Ibrox has given the Parkhead club a handsome lead at the summit with just six games remaining.

Coupled with a vastly superior goal difference, Ange Postecoglou’s side have worked their way into a position where they could now afford a stumble and still get over the line.

But ahead of tomorrow’s game with St Johnstone, which could open up a nine-point gap ahead of Rangers’ trip to Paisley on Sunday, the Greek striker is adamant the team will target a maximum 18 points from their remaining games.

The player has been bullish about Celtic’s chances to win the Scottish Premiership

‘We know the league is not ever yet. We need to win every single game – that’s our target,’ said the 27-year-old.

‘The target of the team is not just to win the league – it’s to win every single battle from now on until the end.

‘This is our job – to focus on the next game – no matter what the last game we played was and how the big the win was.

‘We always have to focus on the next game and that’s what we are doing now.’

Rangers still have to visit Celtic Park after the split – a game which could see Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side close the gap by three points.

Asked if it was now a case of what Celtic did, however Giakoumakis added: ‘Yes, from day one we only had to focus on us and what we will do.

‘We have to win every single game and focus on our game and nothing else.

‘Of course it’s quite a strong position but, as I’ve said before, it’s not over.

‘We have to be focused on every single game as there are more to come until the end.

Rangers still have to visit Celtic Park following the split in the league

‘We have to win every single one. Maybe we have a small advantage but it’s only that – nothing else.

‘We have to protect this and keep winning every game.’

Although reluctant to look forward to facing Rangers at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final a week on Sunday, Giakoumakis says it’s only natural for the squad to be eyeing a Treble after their League Cup triumph last December.

‘Of course I can say that, when you play for Celtic, the target is to win every trophy,’ he said.

‘So we have to fight for it. We have a strong semi-final but, right now, we’re focused on the league because it’s the next game that we have to play.

Giorgos Giakoumakis was named player of the month for March in the Scottish Premiership

‘Next Monday we will prepare for the cup game. Of course this is a club with big targets and it’s something we will fight for.’

Giakoumakis was yesterday named the cinch Premiership player of the month for March after hitting five goals including a hat-trick against Ross County.

‘The award is a really good thing to get,’ he said. ‘I feel good about my football at the moment.

‘The second half of the season has been really good for me. I’m healthy and strong and I’ve tried to give my best on the field.

‘I’ve scored some goals – 11 so far in the second part of the season – and I’m looking forward to the goals which will follow.’

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