Samaras signs three-year Celtic deal

Published on Tuesday 15 July 2008 22:54

GEORGIOS Samaras insists he "closed the doors" on all other clubs to fulfil his wish to sign a permanent deal with Celtic.

The Greece international has signed a three-year contract with the Scottish champions having scored six times in 21 appearances during a four-month loan spell from Manchester City last season. Samaras, 23, who made one substitute appearance for Greece in the European Championships this summer, is believed to have cost Celtic around 1million.

However, the former Heerenveen striker was swift to stress his desire to remain in Glasgow.

"It was my first choice to stay here," he said. "I didn't want to stay at Manchester City and the door was closed to other clubs. I never spoke officially or unofficially to any other clubs, my priority was Celtic and I was focused on them. I had a beautiful four months last season. I enjoyed the football and the attitude and mentality of the club is exactly how I think about football – always attacking. And of course, the gaffer (Gordon Strachan], my team-mates and supporters are also positives.

"Celtic is one of the biggest clubs in Europe, winning trophies and playing in the Champions League and that's also why I'm here."

Samaras was rarely handed a starting jersey during his loan spell at Celtic, with manager Gordon Strachan preferring a forward line of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald, who scored 51 goals between them as the Hoops captured their third Clydesdale Bank Premier League title in succession.

The Greece striker, though, is determined to break that partnership up this season. "Jan and Scott scored a lot of goals last season but I will try to push them hard," he said. "I will push for them and me to give more and try and make the attack more competitive. It's up to the gaffer who starts next season, he will see who is better, fitter in training and working harder. But I'm here because Celtic want me, they respect me and they trust me."

Last season, Celtic also qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League for the second year in a row, and Samaras believes the Hoops fans will be happy with similar success in the forthcoming campaign.

"If we do the same, everyone will be happy again," he said. "The supporters will want to see us make it four in a row but it won't be easy. Rangers have the same mentality as us, they want to win everything."