Keep up scoring form and earn new deal, Celtic boss Lennon tells Georgios Samaras

The Greece forward, entering the final year of his contract, was on target for Celtic in the 2-0 Europa League home success over Utrecht on Thursday having also impressed Lennon during a prolific pre-season.

Lennon, who admits the striker's inconsistency has troubled him in the past, wants Samaras to maintain his form over a longer period to secure his future.

Samaras looked as if he might be surplus to requirements during the summer with Lennon's reservations about him well-known, but he looks certain to lead the line again when St Mirren visit tomorrow.

Lennon said: "He could be a very important player for us this season. I'm very pleased with him. I liked his attitude during the pre-season. His all-round game is coming on.

"There were glimpses of inconsistency in his game again against Utrecht. He played very well first-half, but there were bits of his game he could have improved in the second-half. Overall, though, I'm very pleased with him. If anyone deserved a goal over the piece it was him so hopefully he'll take a lot from that.

"His attitude and his level of performance have been good, no doubt about it. He's been a big player for me so far.

"With all footballers you have a point to prove to people, but deep down it's proving the point to yourself. I think he's got the bit between the teeth at the minute. He's only got a year left on his contract so he's playing for his future, as well. I look at what he's got in his make-up and I think he's got all the attributes for what it takes to be a modern-day striker."

It was a game against St Mirren that was the catalyst for Lennon being in the Celtic job, an unlikely 4-0 away defeat to the Paisley club in March proved Tony Mowbray's last in charge.

Lennon replaced Mowbray on a temporary basis initially before eventually being confirmed in the post during the summer, but has no fears about the same opposition undermining his own job security.

He said: "It might be a bit raw with some of the players who were involved in that game, but that's last season and a different time, a different context. We're at home so we want to set another marker down for the rest of the season.

"We'll take a lot of confidence from the result last night, while hopefully not being complacent about it. We just need to show the right attitude again and we'll be okay."

Lennon confirmed that Morten Rasmussen has joined Mainz on a season-long loan, while revealing central defender Josh Thompson is in talks with Rochdale with regard to another loan agreement. He added: "The whole reason we've let these guys on the periphery of the squad away is because they need to go and play football, but they're still our players at the end of the day. Josh is on his way to England, I think the paperwork is almost done."

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon also fully expects Lennon to use memories of Celtic's 4-0 defeat at the hands of the Paisley club to fire up his players.

"I actually saw the game that evening and St Mirren were on fire," said Danny Lennon, who replaced Gus MacPherson as Buddies boss over the summer. "There is no doubt, knowing Lenny, he will have that one fired up for them for the game coming up on Sunday. He's got his style and his mark on things now and Danny Lennon, likewise, has his mark on things at St Mirren.

"We will have a pop as much as we can with the resources we have and I'm hoping to go there and frustrate them and quickly get that crowd turned and try to use that as an advantage for us."

Despite the changes in personnel for both teams since that last encounter, Danny Lennon believes Saints can still take confidence from the win ahead of this clash at Parkhead.

"It lets you know that Celtic and Rangers are only human," he said. "They've just got a pair of legs and arms like anyone else. We've got to have 18 bodies turning up there on Sunday, we've got to have everybody mentally focused and in total control of their emotions."