Celtic captain Stephen McManus wants on-loan Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras to sign permanently at Parkhead.

"I would love to see big Sam stay. I think the women would like to see him stay too because of those looks of his - it gives everyone something to look at," McManus told the Daily Record.

"From our point of view, he is a top, top player and a great lad as well. He is a joy to play beside. A lot of players who found themselves in the situation he did would have lashed the ball across goal but he put in a great cross and we scored.

"Sam is a great player and people forget he's still only 23. I knew about him when he was with Manchester City and the manager liked the look of him.

"He's a gifted lad and that hasn't been a surprise. When someone is brought for £6million, as he was, you know he is quality and he's come up here and been a breath of fresh air."