Georgios Samaras faces Celtic pay-cut for new deal

CELTIC’S bid to tie up Georgios Samaras on a new two-year deal have stalled because they have insisted he take a pay cut, according to reports in his Greek homeland.

The striker is out of contract at the end of the season, but was this week linked a possible move to either Toronto FC or Hull City.

Samaras is in talks with the Parkhead club about extending his deal, but there is a catch – he’s been offered a new two-year deal at Celtic, but he’d have to agree to reduce his current £18,000-a-week wages to £16,000.

When asked on Friday if there was any clarity regarding the contract negotiations involving Samaras and team-mate Joe Ledley, Neil Lennon said the situation was as “clear as mud”.

Samaras, 28, has been at Celtic for six years and will play a key role at the World Cup this summer. But his form has declined recently and he’s endured a particularly disappointing Champions League campaign.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has previously admitted he hoped the Samaras contract situation would be resolved by the end of this month.

He stated: “We are talking to Samaras’ agent now. We’d like to feel we are going to get clarity before the end of December. Hopefully we will be able to.

“It is our intention to make sure that he extends his contract.”