Georgios Samaras admits giving Celtic team-mate Cillian Sheridan a striking masterclass may have made his job of getting back in the team even harder.
Greece forward Samaras, who is back in the reckoning after knee surgery, made his first appearance for more than a month when he came off the bench in Wednesday night's Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Kilmarnock.
He arrived on the field moments after 19-year-old Sheridan had notched his second goal of the game, the Irishman having been given his chance in recent weeks due to injuries to Samaras, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Chris Killen.
Samaras said in the Daily Record: 'In pre-season, myself and Cillian played some games together and I tried to put him in the correct positions.
'I tried to show him things like holding the ball up and when to pass it but, trust me, since pre-season his improvement has been so big.
'I just hope he can continue like this because he is a young lad who works hard. His body shape is good, he has strength, pace and everything else you need. For sure, this kid has real talent.
'Even when myself, Jan and Chris Killen come back to full fitness, Cillian should not give up. He should keep working and I'm sure he will be rewarded.
'I know that, for sure, I must fight to get back into the team. First I have to get my fitness to the same standard as my team-mates and then I have to prove I am ready to play a full 90 minutes.'
Samaras, who suffered his injury on international duty, will not risk playing for his country next week as he bids to regain full fitness.
He revealed how national-team doctors failed to diagnose his injury after he complained of discomfort during the World Cup qualifier against Moldova.
He was assured there was no damage and turned out against Switzerland four days later.
Samaras said: 'The doctors said it was nothing. Just that I was tired. When the doctors say it is nothing, you accept it. So I played against the Swiss and did more damage to my knee.'
