REPORTS in Greece today claim former Celtic hero and enigma Georgios Samaras has decided to hang up his football boots at only 33-years-old.
The former Celtic and Man City striker has been without a club since leaving Samsumspor in the summer.
The Greek side OFI Crete claim Samaras along with his father are about to take up new roles with the club at boardroom level after a major restructuring of the Super League club’s hierarchy.
Samaras started his youth career at the club before starting his professional footballing adventure which brought him to the shores of the UK.
The Greek enigma played 243 times for Celtic scoring 71 goals and assisting in 50. The player won four SPFL titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup during his time with the bhoys.
Samaras has a special place in the heart of many Celtic supporters. The big man from Greece was frustrating at times. One game he would be utterly hopeless, the next game he’d be silencing Ibrox and galloping into the Broomloan road end.
The friendship the player struck with Wee Jay Beattie was also a great highlight of the striker’s time at the club.
If these reports are accurate it’s rather surprising he’s pulled the curtain down on his playing career so early but we wish Sammy all the best in his new adventure.
Sammy is, above all, an incredible human being and an honest, loyal and caring individual.
He is a gifted footballer and we were incredibly fortunate to have him at our club, as his personality, humility and kindness sone through, as well as his gift for rising to the big occasion.
I miss the big man.
Shone through. Dooh!