Sport

Samaras looks to the big time

GEORGIOS SAMARAS is relishing the opportunity to showcase his talents in the Champions League with Celtic once again.

Wed Jul 23 2008 - 01:00

GEORGIOS SAMARAS is relishing the opportunity to showcase his talents in the Champions League with Celtic once again.

The Greek striker signed a three-year deal with the Scottish champions earlier this month following a successful spell on loan from Manchester City last season.

Samaras played his part in helping Celtic secure a third successive Premier League title, meaning direct entry to the Champions League group stages.

"First of all, it's really important that we don't have to play a qualification game," he said. "We go straight to the groups and that is so important for us.

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"There are a lot of good teams in the qualification stages and other teams which are already midway through their season and are fit and ready for these matches.

"The games can be very tricky and Celtic did well to qualify ahead of Spartak Moscow last season.

"The Champions League is the best league in the world featuring the best teams and the best players, and it's always nice to test yourself against the best."

Samaras featured in both last 16 clashes with Barcelona last season and is hoping to face more top-class opposition this time around.

But he insists further success in the SPL is just as important as Celtic's European exploits.

"Our game here against Barcelona was incredible, an experience I'll never forget. That was just one game though, and I've heard that the atmosphere at all the European nights is special.

"I am looking forward to those nights, but it's important that we get off to a good start in the Premier League and concentrate on our games before then.

"That's another big advantage of going straight through to the group stages and we will be able to concentrate all our efforts on the league before starting in Europe."

He added: "It would be nice to play against a Greek team in the Champions League but, to be honest, I have no real preference.

"It's going to be tough whoever we end up getting in the group stages, but with the supporters we have here I think it's going to be very tough for anyone to take anything off us at Celtic Park."