I'll be the Sam as before, says Hoops star

Celtic striker Georgios Samaras insists he is close to his best following knee surgery.

The Greece striker has so far struggled to recapture his early-season form after having some cartilage removed.

Samaras scored 10 goals in nine games before his injury, but has netted just once in seven games since his comeback a month ago.

However, he insists he felt his full fitness returning during Wednesday night’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Villarreal.

And he has warned Hearts he will be firing on all cylinders when they meet in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League tomorrow.

“It was the first game I felt really free,” the former Manchester City striker said. “I feel free again and there is no pain.

“I’m looking for a good performance in my next game and finding my form again. I am going to find my form again.

“I will be back for sure. I’m back already but I will be better and better every game.

“The first game, I was a little bit anxious. I had it in my mind but now I am free.

“It is really important that even when I had bad games, my team-mates and gaffer stuck with me, and I am grateful for that.”

Samaras failed to score in this season’s Champions League and missed good chances during the defeats in Villarreal and Aalborg.

But he vowed Celtic will win the SPL to ensure they put up a better performance next season.

“Everyone is delighted that we won the last game,” the 23-year-old said.

“I think we deserved to win. I think we will learn from our mistakes over the six games and come

back next year.

“The target now is to win the title and also the two cups – to win what we can. We are ready to win the title again."