Source: PA
Samaras eyes regular start
Georgios Samaras grabbed a hat-trick in the 6-0 thrashing of Inverness at Celtic Park and then claimed he is ready to battle for a place in the team.
Manager Neil Lennon made six changes to his side for the visit of Caley in the Co-operative Insurance Cup third round and was delighted as they produced their most prolific form of the season.
The Greece striker showed why the Lennon is looking to offer him a new contract with a hat-trick but Anthony Stokes also did his chances of retaining his place no harm with a double - one from the spot - while fit-again Gary Hooper scored his first competitive goal for Celtic since signing from Scunthorpe in the summer.
The Irishman has the welcome selection dilemma for the visit of Hibernian at the weekend where he will be looking to make it six SPL wins in succession but Samaras wants to be counted in.
The former Manchester City striker said: "We have a really good squad. Scott Brown was not playing and Ki Sung-yueng took his place and for me he was man of the match. Daryl Murphy didn't play and Gary Hooper did so it shows that we have strength in our squad.
"It will be a big, big season in all three competitions and everybody must be ready for the time that the gaffer comes and says to them that he is going to play them. I am here to give 100% for the team whenever the gaffer asks me."
