burns welcomes new bhoys

David Friel
CELTIC coach Tommy Burns believes the arrival of Koki Mizuno and Georgios Samaras will act as a huge boost for the Hoops at a crucial stage of the season.

With German full-back Andreas Hinkel already added to the squad during the January window, manager Gordon Strachan has pulled off a double signing coup by capturing Japanese youngster Mizuno and Greek international striker Samaras.

After completing his permanent transfer from JEF United, Mizuno will team up with the Celtic squad later this week. Samaras, who has initially joined on loan from Manchester City, could be involved against Motherwell on Wednesday night.

“Georgios Samaras has joined us and he will go straight into the squad for tomorrow,” said Burns, as he looked ahead to the Fir Park clash. “That’s a good signing for the supporters.

“I think Mizuno will be joining us at the end of the week. He’s a good footballer, similar to Nakamura in some ways, and he also has a bit of pace about him, which is a good combination.

“We’ve got a good squad of players, but the manager is always looking to freshen things up. He’ll know who his key players are and maybe he thinks just now that he has to add more key players, as opposed to just squad players.

“He might look to be adding core players – guys who will be on the team-lines most weeks. There is now an opportunity for the new boys to come in and show what they can do.”

With an SPL title to challenge for and a UEFA Champions League last 16 clash with Barcelona looming, Celtic have been pro-active in improving their squad in January and Burns has backed his manager’s decisions.

He said: “I think it’s always important to freshen up the squad. With the Bosman rule and the demand for success, I think the days when you had the same side for five or six years are gone. You always have to be looking to improve.

“Samaras is a player from a good level. He’s been in the English Premiership and he’s done reasonably well there.

“He’ll find that this club is different, and the demands are different. You have to be a winner at Celtic – it’s not an every week thing, it’s an every day thing.”