Celtic: Replacing Samaras will be costly - Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon says that replacing striker Georgios Samaras would cost the club millions.
Georgios Samaras: Mulling over new Celtic deal. Picture: Robert PerryGeorgios Samaras: Mulling over new Celtic deal. Picture: Robert Perry
Georgios Samaras: Mulling over new Celtic deal. Picture: Robert Perry

The Greek international is currently weighing up a new deal being offered by the club, and is expected to make a decision on his future in the next week.

Samaras, who will sit out Celtic’s trip to Turkey for a mid-winter training camp, is still wanted by the club, according to Lennon. The Celtic manager also conceded that Samaras would be difficult to replace.

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“I can see why other clubs are interested in him,” Lennon said. “I know he can be inconsistent, but but when has been in the mood for us he is simply awesome.

“If he does go, and we’ll probably know in the next week, we will need to work hard to find a like-for-like replacement - and these types cost a lot of money.”

Lennon also said that any deal struck with Samaras won’t just hinge on the financial details. According to Lennon, Samaras “loves the club and he loves the city, but there are mitigating factors as to why he hasn’t signed and why we haven’t come to a deal.

“He’s an intelligent boy. He does think deeply and he is very knowledgable about the game. He has vast international experience with Greece and losing a player such as him would be a real blow to us.”