samaras: we must believe

David Friel
THE odds may be against Gordon Strachan’s Celtic side as they approach Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match with Barcelona, but striker Georgios Samaras has a message for the Hoops fans travelling to the Nou Camp – nothing is impossible.

With two goals in his last two games, the Greek striker is fast becoming a favourite among the Hoops support and hopes to feature against the Catalan giants in the second leg of the last 16 tie.

Trailing 3-2 from the first leg, Celtic would need to pull off one of the biggest results in the club’s history to progress, but Samaras is adamant that the Hoops must enter the match with real belief.

“You must believe in dreams and miracles,” he said. “If you don't have dreams you can have no targets.

“If we cut off Barcelona's supply and press them all over the park you never know what might happen. I'll go out to enjoy the game and stay focused in the hope Barcelona might make the assumption they're already through to the last eight of the competition.”

Away from Celtic’s European commitments, the SPL title race is becoming more intense with every passing week and Samaras revealed he is thriving on the pressure that comes with donning the Hoops.

He has scored vital goals in Celtic’s last two SPL win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hibernian, and is learning more about the Scottish game all the time.

“We have now won nine SPL games in a row and there’s no time to dwell on knocks or contemplate dropping points,” he said.

“The winners of the title race might emerge from the side that does best in the three games to be played between Celtic and Rangers. I’ve never been involved in anything like this before and Stephen McManus has been filling me in on what's required.

“He's told me all about the championships races Celtic have been involved with in the past and what to expect. You never know what will happen next but the next few weeks will be crucial for the club at home and abroad.

“I intend to approach the league matches in the same way I’ll look after the European tie with Barcelona.

“On Saturday, Hibs was always going to be a difficult game for us because we were up against a strong, physical side and on a pitch that wasn't so good.

“We won the game because we worked harder than them and refused to give up as far as our discipline and focus were concerned.”