The Curious Case Of Georgios Samaras

Its certainly been a more productive season for our big Greek Talismanic God. Long gone are the days the big chap is sarcastically cheered off the park when being substituted. With our whole European season behind us it would be very foolish to forget just how good the striker was for us this season.

With a magnificent pass across the box for Hooper to turn in against Helsinki our European season was off and running. Samaras, that assist aside wasn’t at his fluent best, and was a touch of the old frustrating Samaras. The Away leg however after the storm was saw by Celtic and Samaras dominated with the big man scoring a delightful second to send the Celts on their way. Another away goal for Samaras saw Celtic clinch a 2-0 win in Helsingborg and we were champions league bound!

Suddenly Samaras was an instant first choice pick for all European games, not just in Lennon’s eyes but in the fans’ eyes too. In the league Samaras continued to amble on with the rest of the team, but his real season has been in Europe. A glorious last minute header in Moscow saw Celtic win their first ever away game in the Champions League and amazingly made it 3 out of 3 away from home in Europe for Celtic this season and 3 goals in 3 games for Samaras. Another header (deflected in) in Barcelona saw Samaras give Celtic an outrageous lead which was turned into defeat in the last minute of the game. One of the big factors in the game was Samaras’ injury and going off 10 minutes before half time. Some felt Celtic would have had more of an out-ball in the second half if the big Greek was playing.

Samaras continued his hard working performances in Europe with a good game versus Barcelona at Parkhead in the famous victory. He then gave Celtic an equaliser in the away leg in Benfica which, if things stayed the same would have saw Celtic through. Samaras then went on to win the penalty that ultimately did send Celtic through to the last 16. Goals v Hearts and Dundee amongst others saw Samaras on the scoresheet domestically and Celtic headed into the new year looking forward to a last 16 showing with Juventus.

Samaras then missed the first game v Juventus but returned the second leg to play his usual left striker role but as much as he battled away it wasn’t his best performace as Celtic were humiliated out of Europe by Juventus. Not to worry, Samaras’ season wasn’t over just yet…

St.Patrick’s weekend, Celtic are 3-1 down to Aberdeen with 20 minutes to go. Bang 3-2 Bang 3-3 and then in the dying stages the ball found its way to Samaras who banged in the winner with an outrageously amazing Overhead kick which was followed by an outpouring of emotion from Samaras for just about the first time ever.

But still, theres talk of Samaras being player of the year. I think he’d have as good a shout as anyone if the competition was solely based on European exploits. Sadly though, with Celtic’s poor domestic form creeping up again and again so is the old frustrating Samaras. He never ever hides, which is to his eternal credit, but sometimes a wee spell out of a game, a wee 5 minutes without the ball would do Samaras the world of good.

Is he POTY material? Not this year for me. He has however, scored the goal of the season, a wonderful thundering header which completed a sensational passing move from Celtic at Kilmarnock in December. All in all Samaras has had his best season in a Celtic jersey but not at the level yet where we call for him to be player of the year. Next year though? Samaras should go on from strength to strength and will be vital if Celtic are going to embark on another Champions League adventure.