It is onerous to discover a Celtic participant who defines the time period 'cult hero' greater than Georgios Samaras.
He's a participant that cut up opinion all through his Parkhead profession, however all the time shared a particular bond with the Celtic Park fan base.
A haul of 4 league titles throughout his time in Glasgow's east finish would not fairly inform the towering 6 ft 4 ahead and his enigmatic spell in Scotland.
Samaras was a participant that had that particular one thing and would give every part for the Celtic trigger whether or not enjoying out large or because the lone striker.
And that is to not overlook his trademark lengthy locks that instantly made him stand out on the park when he picked up tempo.
As a part of our collection on Scottish soccer cult heroes, File Sport seems again on what made Samaras so in style and what he is been as much as since.
How did he find yourself in Scotland?
Earlier than Manchester Metropolis had been splashing the money, Samaras was pulling on the sunshine blue jersey.
On the time it was an enormous cash transfer for the membership at round £6million from Heerenveen, however the Greek striker courted controversy as Metropolis languished within the lower-reaches of the English Premier League.
In his first season he earned the ire of skipper Richard Dunne, who claimed that his efficiency was impacted by gamers who did not work onerous sufficient - and would go on to call test Samaras.
Samaras would then level the finger at boss Stuart Pearce claiming that the supervisor's lack of religion impacted his type, and insisted that his "excessive switch price" had put him within the highlight.
The subsequent season, Sven Goran Eriksson arrived in Manchester and determined Samaras had no place at Metropolis.
After struggling to the top of an 18-month slog within the Eastlands, Celtic provided an olive department with a mortgage exit for the striker within the January 2008 window.
Trying again on the transfer, Samaras stated: "Once I left Manchester Metropolis I wanted to go to a spot the place the membership would help and respect me.
"I appreciated the best way Celtic introduced me right into a household ambiance from the primary minute I arrived right here. It was like an enormous hug for me after six months of feeling alone in Manchester. I needed to depart and return to the membership the place I felt needed."
The followers took Samaras to their hearts, and the mortgage deal was made everlasting in the summertime.
Why did the followers love him a lot?
There isn't any doubt that Samaras was a participant for the massive moments.
Whereas his performances might cut up opinion, he might be fondly remembered for some enormous European targets and derby day strikes.
Neil Lennon as soon as admitted about Samaras “he’s the kind of participant who might get me sacked” resulting from his inconsistent showings.
In Europe it was onerous to argue along with his impression as he took on the lone striker function, with two targets in Moscow defining his heroics.
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He scored in harm time of the Champions League third qualifying spherical tie in opposition to Dynamo Moscow in 2009 to safe Celtic’s first away win in six years.
Again in 2012, Samaras headed in an added-time winner to present Celtic their first ever away victory within the Champions League group phases.
How did he earn his cult hero standing?
Effectively, targets in opposition to Rangers assist for certain.
And Samaras' inventory rose considerably with the help in the important thing New Yr Previous Agency derby wherein he scored each targets in a 2-0 victory in 2011.
European targets are all properly and good however you must do it on derby day if you are going to make it in Glasgow.
Apart from his double, the Celtic trustworthy will in all probability rank his total show again in 2011 as his standout exhibiting in inexperienced and white.
The magic second got here as he latched on to Joe Ledley's lengthy ball and sidestepped onrushing Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor to place the ball into the empty web.
He then continued to present the Rangers defence a torrid time, when Madjid Bougherra chopped down the striker after a terrific solo run. Samaras stepped as much as convert from the spot.
The scenes of him operating into the group to have fun have caught with followers since that day.
The place did he go after Celtic Park?
After the curtain was introduced down on his six-year stint in Glasgow's east finish, Samaras had a nomadic profession.
He first made his return to the English Premier League with West Brom, however solely managed solely eight substitute appearances, all with out scoring.
After simply six months he was shipped out to Al Hilal within the Center East. Regardless of getting off to a blistering begin with a aim on his debut, his spell in Saudi Arabia was hampered by a three-month harm layoff with a hip harm.
He would then strive his luck within the North American Soccer League with Rayo OKO, however after one season the franchise was shut down. That sparked a quick spell at Actual Zaragoza after turning into a free agent as soon as once more.
He would spherical off his profession within the Turkish First Division with Samsunspor in 2018.
What's he thus far?
Georgios Samaras retired from enjoying to take up a job with boyhood membership OFI Crete.
Earlier than catching the attention of Heerenveen, the Greek talisman broke into the staff along with his hometown facet.
Now he's trying to repay the membership and take them to the head of the Greek sport whereas working as vice-president of the facet.
When he took on the function in 2018, he stated: "I retired from soccer at 33 for 2 causes. Firstly, my again has not been 100 per cent for a few years and secondly I used to be engaged on this undertaking with OFI Crete for 2 years.
"Crete is my dwelling and my household reside right here. It is the one membership that might have made me come again to Greece.
"The membership was in search of funding and a brand new construction and we now have a plan to convey this membership again to the highest."
Since then he has helped make sure the membership are a mainstay of the Greek Tremendous League with common prime flight soccer.