Samaras proves Lennon is right to offer him new deal

Manager Neil Lennon made six changes to his side for the visit of Caley in the Co-operative Insurance Cup third round and was delighted as they produced their most prolific form of the season.

The Greece striker showed why Lennon is looking to offer him a new contract with a hat-trick but Anthony Stokes also did his chances of retaining his place no harm with a double - one from the spot - while fit-again Gary Hooper scored his first competitive goal for Celtic since signing from Scunthorpe in the summer.

The Irishman has the welcome selection dilemma for the visit of Hibs at the weekend where he will be looking to make it six SPL wins in succession but Samaras wants to be counted in.

The former Manchester City striker said: "We have a really good squad. Scott Brown was not playing and Ki Sung-yueng took his place and for me he was man of the match. Daryl Murphy didn't play and Gary Hooper did so it shows that we have strength in our squad."

Lennon looked likely to get rid of the enigmatic Greek following the shock Active Nation Scottish Cup semi- final defeat to Ross County last season but admits he has had a change of heart since becoming permanent boss.

"Yes, Samaras has changed my perception," said Lennon.

"His attitude pre-season was fantastic and, hopefully, we will talk to his representatives next month about a new contract."

Emilio Izaguirre had to be replaced by Charlie Mulgrew in the first half but Lennon played down fears that the Honduran left-back had sustained a serious injury.

He said: "We thought it was a tear at first but it's not, we are hoping he is fit for Saturday.

Caley boss Terry Butcher admitted he had one eye on the SPL game against St Mirren at the weekend.

"It wasn't nice for the fans to lose 6-0 and the goals we lost were criminal," he said. "But it's not against the big teams that we will be judged. We made it very difficult for ourselves but you have to rotate the squad and look at Saturday."