Samaras happy to stay

Celtic forward Georgios Samaras admits he never considered leaving the club despite attracting interest from elsewhere.

The likes of Middlesbrough, Italian side Palermo and Spanish outfit Hercules were all credited with an interest in the Greek international this summer.

It was thought Celtic chief Neil Lennon was willing to cash in on Samaras, but the former Manchester City forward stayed at Parkhead at the end of the transfer window.

The 25-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, was happy to reject offers to leave and is hoping to stay in Glasgow.

“At no stage did I think I was leaving,” Samaras told the Sunday Mail.

“I wanted to stay with this club and I was 100 per cent committed to that decision.

“I went to the World Cup completely focused on the national team and when I came back I had the same attitude for what I had to do here.
Offers
“I know there were a lot of rumours in the summer and some offers came in but my door was always closed.

“I know this team well and the club knows me. It was an easy decision.

“When the World Cup was finished I wanted to be back for pre-season.

“I know that I can give a lot to this side. At Celtic you have to win every game. You are aiming to win trophies and you are normally playing European football.

“I don’t know of any reason to leave because this club has everything for me.

“My door was never open to the other outfits. If it was teams from Italy, Spain, Holland, Russia, Turkey or Greece, I wasn’t interested.

“I would like to be part of a full championship season when we win the title.

“At the moment, we’re doing well in the league and are in the next round of the Co-op Cup. It’d be nice to win something.”