Celtic striker Georgios Samaras wants to show off SPL and Scottish Cup medals when he returns to his homeland for his summer holidays.The Greece international moved to Parkhead on a loan deal from Manchester City in January in a bid to get some game time after finding himself used only as a bit-part player by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

After dropping out of the Champions League in midweek following a 4-2 aggregate defeat by Barcelona, Celtic are straight back in to the fray with a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday.

The SPL champions will then resume their chase of old rivals Rangers, whom they trail by four points at the top of the table.

Samaras, 23, defended the standard of football north of the border and declared his desire to finish the season with two trophies.

He said: "I don't know why some people are asking why I am playing in Scotland. It's not fair. It is one of the best leagues in Europe and I'm really proud that I'm playing here. Trust me - it's better than Greece.

"I believe that we can win the cup and the league. I will do my best to go back home for my holidays with two medals around my neck."

Samaras, whose deal takes him up to the end of the season, revealed why he is enjoying his time in Scotland.

He said: "The reason I came to play at Celtic was that they always play with two strikers.

"I didn't need time to settle. I have been in Britain two years and I know the style of football.

"The only thing I needed was support and I have got that here for the moment.

"I had support from Eriksson but it was difficult because there were so many strikers looking for one position.

"I can't play one game a month, I need to play every single week.

"I am glad I am here and I am enjoying my football. But it is too soon to speak about going back."

The former Heerenveen striker admits there will be a contrast between the Nou Camp and Pittodrie but he believes there will be no European hangover within the Celtic squad.

He said: "To be honest, I think Barcelona deserved to go through. They are a really good team who played really good football and they are my favourites to get to the final.

"We did our best but unfortunately we are out. Now let's get back to reality. We must focus on the Scottish Cup and the SPL.

"If you are professional and you focus then it is easy to move from Champions League to the cup, or from the cup to the Champions League.

"It's up to us, we must show character to try and win everything."

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