SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE:NEIL LENNON revealed a chat with former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan confirmed his inspired decision to play two-goal hero Georgios Samaras in the lone striker's role in the Old Firm victory over Rangers at Ibrox yesterday.
The Greece international striker vindicated his selection by scoring a double to take the Hoops four points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League, although Rangers have two games in hand.
Samaras, not always a favourite of Lennon or the Celtic supporters, capped an impressive afternoon by opening the scoring in the 61st minute and then clinching the three points from the spot after he had been felled in the box by Ibrox defender Madjid Bougherra.
Afterwards a delighted Parkhead boss said: “I am very proud of the players and performance. I didn’t think there was one failure there today. We were very resilient, we dominated and I thought Samaras was unplayable.
“I spoke to Gordon about that lone-striker’s role, Samaras can do that and it was something we have been working on. I have seen him play in World Cups and do that and we felt we would leave him up there to do it.
“He pulls himself off the two centre halves which isn’t an easy thing to do. His movement and composure for the first goal was great and although he got a lot of confidence from the way he started the game, he got a huge lift from the goal.”
Samaras is out of contract at the season but Lennon is looking for the big Greek to extend his deal at Parkhead. “We know he is capable of doing that,” the Irishman said. “We know he has fantastic attributes, we just need to find that consistency and maybe that role suits him best.
“But I think he has done himself no harm today regarding a new contract.”
Samaras admitted he would be happy to accept a new deal from Celtic – and continue as lone striker.
He said: “I want to stay. If the manager has said he wants me to stay then hopefully in the next couple of days or weeks, we will find a solution and keep going together.”
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