Watch Samaras goal send Celtic back on top

Celtic completed a near perfect eight day period by beating Hearts 1-0 to move back to the top of the SPL table.

There was a strong hint of a European hangover about the performance, especially in the second half, but after their thrilling win over Spartak Moscow no-one was being too critical.

With Craig Levein again demonstrating his stubbornness Kris Commons turned in another man-of-the match performance including the defence splitting pass that set up Georgios Samaras for the only goal of the game.

Since the opening day of the season when he scored the only goal of the game against Aberdeen Commons has been Celtic’s most effective and consistent performer.

While Lennon has talked Roy Hodgson into taking a look at Fraser Forster and drawn attention to Gary Hooper the hoops boss has been unable to get Levein to see the light.

“Craig has his reasons for not picking him,” the Celtic boss explained diplomatically. “He has come out publicly and said there are other players ahead of him and that’s his decision.

“I’m not here to criticise any manager in any shape or form. In fact, selfishly I’m delighted because it will give the wee man a chance to put his feet up for a few days.”

Lennon added: “Kris plays every week for me when he is in form like that so you know my opinion of him. I know what he brings to the team and he had a great game the other night in Moscow.

“He’s disappointed, yeah. That’s just a natural feeling, he’d like to play. On the flip side of that his wife is heavily pregnant and he has two young kids as well. So he might be grateful he doesn’t have to spend two weeks away in hotels.”

CLICK HERE for Regan’s praise for Charles Green

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