Hartson: It's time for Samaras to leave
The patience of the Celtic support has expired on Samaras who has scored three SPL goals in the last 18 months.
Unlike many former players now working as pundits Hartson isn’t afraid to duck the main talking points and knows the mood of the Celtic support as well as anyone.
Despite his own popularity Hartson took plenty of stick from the Celtic support, as he competed with Chris Sutton to play alongside Henrik Larsson, and understands the mentality and demands of playing for the club.
Lots of Celtic fans have been prepared to go alongwith Neil Lennon’s judgement on Samaras but with no goals so far this season Hartson believes that it’s time for the player and club to cut their losses.
“Georgios Samaras should keep his head down and work hard then quit Celtic come January,” the Welshman told The Sun. “That’s my advice to the lad for his career and his state of mind.
“In the whole time I’ve been associated with Celtic I’ve never come across a player who is disliked so much by his own support. I’ve probably discussed him in this column more than any other player.
“From the messages I get from people he’s becoming a bit of a scapegoat for Celtic fans now.
“I can see why Neil Lennon went with him against Rangers in that 4-2 derby defeat.
“Samaras gives you that physical presence that maybe other strikers don’t. He’s got that blistering pace to get away from people. He’s got the height to win headers.
“But for me one good game in six or seven isn’t what you want from a Celtic striker.
“He got a decent reception against Udinese when he came off the bench in midweek but as soon as his first touch went astray nearly all the fans were up in arms giving him stick.
“I know he’s a tremendous professional. I’ve been at the training ground and watched him working but sometimes there comes a point when you have shot your bolt at a club and you can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.
“For the meantime, if and when he’s called upon by his manager, he’ll have to do his best despite the adversity of the crowd and the boos. Then when the window opens he can try and sort out another club.”
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