Celtic boss Neil Lennon hails hat-trick hero Georgios Samaras as Caley Thistle are given six of the best

Georgios Samaras Image 1

Neil Lennon last night heaped praise on much-maligned Georgios Samaras and insisted the Greek has a key part to play in Celtic's glory charge.

The striker was the toast of Parkhead with a hat-trick as the Hoops crushed Inverness 6-0. Samaras frustrates fans with his inconsistency but this time he was at his absolute best.

Anthony Stokes bagged two goals and Gary Hooper was on target on his return from a calf injury - but Sami stole the show.

Lennon was thrilled and admits he hopes to have player tied down on a new contract within the next four weeks.

The manager said: "Samaras was excellent and he has changed people's perceptions. He is a talented player and technically brilliant.

"His attitude in pre-season was fantastic and there were clubs interested in him.

"He said, 'No I don't want to go.' He wanted to prove he was good enough to be here and has done that.

"Next month we will speak with his representatives and that will give him a lift. He needs encouraging but there is no doubt he has fantast ic attributes."

Lennon insisted his sizzling six-shooters had fired a major message to rivals Rangers.

After the Ibrox side had blasted seven past Dunfermline 24 hours earlier, the Hoops picked up the Old Firm baton and Lenny said: "We feel it has been coming with the chances we've been creating.

"We've not been putting teams away but any time you score six is very pleasing.

"The level of performance was very good. We just want to send out a message that we have goal scorers in the team."

Lennon also delivered an upbeat bulletin on Honduran left-back Emilio Izaguirre and confirmed his injury is not serious - but did admit midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng was lucky to dodge a red card for a poor challenge on Lee Cox.

The Celtic boss said: "Ki got lucky. I don't think it was malicious but he was high.

"I've seen them given as a red but he isn't that kind of player. He might have slipped into the tackle but fortunately Cox is not badly injured."

Gustavo Ruelas lapped up the six-goal action from a seat in the stand. The USA youth striker is on trial with Celtic this week, aiming to secure a pre-contract deal.

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