Transfer Centre

Neil Lennon plans Georgios Samaras contract talks

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 04 October 2013

Neil Lennon reveals that Celtic plan to open contract negotiations with Georgios Samaras and Anthony Stokes, both of whose current deals expire at the end of the season.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has revealed that the club will soon open discussions with Georgios Samaras and Anthony Stokes over extending their deals at Parkhead.

The forward pair, who between them have scored nine goals in 18 starts this campaign, could become free agents at the end of the season when both of their current Bhoys contracts are due to expire.

Stokes has been in negotiations over an extension for several months, and Lennon has said that he plans to continue those talks, while also beginning discussions with Samaras's camp in the near future.

"We are aware that he [Samaras] is out of contract at the end of the season," Lennon told reporters.

"We will be speaking to Georgios and his representatives pretty soon and we will speak to Stokesy again. I don't know when but it will happen."

Samaras joined Celtic five years ago after two seasons with Manchester City, while Stokes made the move across Scotland from Hibernian in 2010.