Source: Team_Talk
New Lennon deal cheers Samaras
Georgios Samaras admits he was delighted to hear that Neil Lennon had been handed a new deal as Celtic manager.[LNB] The Hoops striker has been a long-time supporter of the Irishman and heard the news that his manager had been awarded a 12-month rolling contract while he was back at his home in Crete.[LNB]"Everybody was waiting for him to confirm the new contract," Samaras told the official Celtic website. "He had a really good season and all the feelings towards him from the dressing room are really positive.[LNB]"He is the manager for the next year and I think everyone is happy with that.[LNB]"The players, the medical staff, the coaches, the boardroom, they all know it was the right thing to do. He said he wanted to bring the thunder back and I think he did that. He made us winners again.[LNB]"He knows the club really well, he has been here for 10 years.[LNB]"He knows the mentality and what the club means to everyone. He had some great memories with Celtic when he played here and now he wants to repeat them as the manager."[LNB]Lennon is the third manager Samaras has played for since his move to Celtic in 2008 and the former Manchester City striker is looking to help the former Parkhead skipper to build on last season's Scottish Cup win when the new campaign begins next month.[LNB]"We played good football last season," he said. "And even though we didn't win the SPL trophy, he built a good foundation and changed the mentality of the club in a good way.[LNB]"He has the base and will now go on and build on it next year, and I'm glad I will be a part of that."[LNB]Meanwhile, as the Celtic players returned to work this week, Lennon is looking forward to the pre-season tour of Australia which begins on Monday.[LNB]"The players look like they're in good condition," he said. "It was a very short close season so I expected them to be looking well.[LNB]"We're going to put them through their paces over the next few days because the schedule for Australia is tough.[LNB]"We need to build up their basic fitness levels while we have the chance here.[LNB]"I look forward to talking the team over there and I'm sure the players are looking forward to it too."
