Samaras confirms Celtic departure

Scottish Premiership: Georgios Samaras confirmed he will leave Celtic after the Hoops’ 3-1 Scottish Premiership win over Dundee United at Parkhead but claimed it is only because there has been no new contract offer from chief executive Peter Lawwell.

It was expected that the Greece striker would be on his way after six and a half years in the east end of Glasgow but it was also believed that the champions would make him an offer to stay.

Manager Neil Lennon watched Samaras score from the spot after coming on as a second-half substitute, either side of goals from Anthony Stokes and Kris Commons, with Filip Twardzik scoring an own goal for United.

Samaras said: “I’m leaving, that’s for sure, but it was not my decision.

“I never had an offer from the club. I never had an offer from Peter Lawwell. I would have loved to have stayed.

“I had a chat with the manager. He would have loved me to stay and I was happy to stay, but me and the gaffer don’t make the decisions — there are people higher up.”