Georgios Samaras insists he is ready to fire Celtic back to the top of the SPL table against Rangers next week if he is given the chance.The Hoops' 3-0 win over Gretna at Almondvale on Sunday took them within three points of the SPL leaders, who have a game in hand.

However, the Parkhead side's superior goal difference means they can leapfrog their great rivals with a win at Ibrox on Saturday lunchtime.

After goals from Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink effectively secured the points against the SPL bottom side, Samaras - who arrived on loan from Manchester City in the January transfer window - replaced Australia international McDonald and scored the third with two minutes remaining.

The 23-year-old Greece international is confident he can add to the four goals he has scored so far for Celtic at Ibrox next week.

He said: "It doesn't matter if I play against Gretna, Rangers or Barcelona, I think I can score in all games.

"I am not afraid of the games and I don't feel under any pressure. I will just enjoy it.

"But it is not up to me, it is up to the gaffer, he will decide if I play against Rangers. We will see what happens."

Samaras insists he is content to play second fiddle to McDonald and Vennegoor of Hesselink - for now.

"I am happy to be helping Celtic but I always try and push myself to score more goals," he said. "I am always asking more from myself.

"I feel okay at the moment but in the future I want a bit more."

Celtic's expected win over crisis club Gretna was painless but Samaras admits the Hoops will have to play better if they are to have any joy in Govan.

He said: "It wasn't a very good game but we deserved to win.

"We cannot play like that against Rangers but we are ready, mentally and physically, to go to Ibrox and win.

"Rangers are not favourites. It is a 50-50 game like all games.

"The Gretna game was 50-50 and the game next Saturday is 50-50.

"We have the character to go and win the game."

Gretna put their recent administration worries behind them for 90 minutes, although their organisation and work-rate were never going to be enough to halt the Hoops.

Gretna defender Kyle Naughton, on loan from Sheffield United, insists a sense of loyalty to the Black and Whites prevented him returning back to Yorkshire during the club's recent troubled times.

The 19-year-old said: "I thought about going back but I didn't want to leave the team without a player in my position.

"Gretna got me out of the reserves and gave me first-team football.

"I will stick with it and fight the rest of the season.

"There's a good spirit here and the lads are always smiling."

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