Celtic's on-loan Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras is prepared to consider a permanent move to Parkhead when the time is right.The 23-year-old Greece international was signed until the end of the season in January by Hoops boss Gordon Strachan.

The former Heerenveen striker quickly settled in to life in Glasgow, scoring on his debut against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in the third round of the Scottish Cup.

Samaras is enjoying his new challenge at Parkhead and has not ruled out extending his stay at Celtic Park.

He said: "I'm really pleased with myself that I made the correct decision to come to this club.

"It was hard for me to move on, because I loved that I was at Manchester City - but unfortunately some things changed.

"For the last couple of months, I was not enjoying my football in England.

"But now I am here I am back on track. I am back on my road and playing football."

As for the longer term, Samaras does not yet appear ready to commit himself.

"I think it is too soon to speak about staying after the summer," he said.

"It is not just up to me. It is up to Celtic and Manchester City to discuss everything.

"The only thing I can say is that I want everything sorted before the European Championships.

"If I have the possibility to stay then I will.

"I think there is an agreement in place between the clubs for a transfer fee which I think is £3million. But it's not just up to me.

"We must sit at the table with everyone and discuss the positive things and the negative things.

"In the end I will make the choice - but I am between two clubs just now."

Samaras, looking forward to taking on Aberdeen in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie on Sunday, does not accept he has anything to prove after falling out of favour under Sven-Goran Eriksson at City.

"I always believed in myself - but some people did not trust me," he recalled.

"When you are in a football club and you know what happens in dressing rooms, then you know when they do not trust you.

"I never really played in my position - which is a shame for them, not for me.

"Now I am here, I am playing and scoring goals.

"I am close to winning trophies, so it is no shame for me."

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