Old Firm rivals Rangers don't play football, insists Bhoys' Greek striker Samaras

In an assessment guaranteed to hit a raw nerve in the Ibrox camp, Samaras echoed some of the 'anti-football' criticism thrown at Walter Smith's quadruple- chasing juggernaut during this remarkable season of overachievement.

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Insisting that Rangers 'don't try to play football', the Greek striker said Celtic intend to test the resolve of Smith's men by winning all six of their remaining SPL fixtures - including two Old Firm games - and restore an element of pressure to the championship race.

Throwing fuel on the flames ahead of tonight's Celtic Park meeting, Samaras said: "We have more football players in our team, more players who are going to pass the ball and keep it on the floor, try to play football.

"Rangers have a different style to us. I was surprised by them - I expected them to play more football, to pass the ball. But they did something else.

"Every player can have their opinion. My opinion is that they don't try to play football. They are all back in defence, playing on the counterattack with one striker up top.

"But that is the philosophy of the club. Our philosophy is something else. I don't care how they play - I care how we play. We must focus on how we win the game.

"Our style of football is passing the ball, trying to create chances and score goals. That's what we're looking for against Rangers.

"If we win, to get within one point of Rangers, it puts them under a little bit of pressure. That's what we're trying to do. We want to see if they're ready to handle it.

"You can't say Rangers are going to win all of their games. You wait for a mistake - that is the reason we're trying to put them under pressure, so we can win the title. Don't forget that we have two games against Rangers, not just one. You never know what is going to happen in football. We're still dreaming and we still believe in ourselves.

"We have disappointed our supporters recently with results against Dundee United, Aberdeen and Motherwell. That's the reason we must give the fans something back. They deserve it and we deserve it because we've been working very hard."

Samaras, who started in last month's 1-0 defeat at Ibrox, has quickly cottoned on to the nature of this fixture since his January loan move from Manchester City.

"I can understand how important this game is," he insisted. "I have played in a derby, Manchester City against Manchester United, but this is 10 times as big - more fanatical. The supporters are so excited about the possibility of winning the game, going into work the next day and enjoying it.

"Everybody at this club and everybody who supports this club must be looking forward to this match, to trying to win the game and get closer to the title."

The 23-year-old is also eager to extend his Parkhead stay beyond the summer - but only if he moves up the Celtic pecking order to become a key member of the starting XI.

Samaras, who has often been restricted to a supporting role behind Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald, said: "First, I want to stay focused on the last six games, to be healthy. I'm glad that I'm here at Celtic and that they're helping me get ready for the European Championships in the summer. On my part, I'm trying to help them win the title.

"What is going to happen after the summer, I don't know. The only thing I can say is I won't return to Manchester City, that's for sure. I don't want to go back there.

"In the summer we'll discuss what happens. Now I'm happy but, in the future, I want to be a first-choice striker, not just a back-up striker.

"In the future, for next season, my first choice is to stay here - but only if I am first choice. Yes, the manager would have to tell me I would be No1 or No2 striker."

Samaras' criticism of Rangers' style was echoed by Italian team-mate Massimo Donati, who appears more resigned to Celtic surrendering their SPL crown than some of his team-mates.

The midfielder told journalists back in Italy: "It's a shame that we are out of the championship and the Scottish Cup. But I am having a great experience in Scotland, I am at a fantastic club and things are fine.

"At the moment, I am not missing Italy or Italian football. I am happy, but it would have been nice to win something.

"Rangers are a team who don't play very good football but they are compact and very strong as a unit. They have a good defence and they cash in on their opponents' errors."

Addressing his own future, Donati holds open the possibility of a swift summer exit after just one season at Celtic, saying: "One or two teams have sounded me out but I haven't really thought about whether to leave or not.

"For now, I will finish this campaign then I will see. If I do decide to leave, it will only be for Italy."