Samaras said he was not prepared to be a back-up striker

Celtic striker Georgios Samaras says he will leave when his loan spell ends unless he gets more first-team action.

Samaras is on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season, but has been unable to dislodge Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

"My first choice is to stay here. I feel okay at a club who trust me," the Greek international, 23, said.

"But I don't know what I am going to do after the summer. I don't think I'll stay if I'm back-up striker."

Samaras last started a game for Celtic in the 1-0 Old Firm defeat on 29 March.

He said he was keen to play a part in the club's SPL title challenge, but was becoming increasingly frustrated on the bench.

I came here to help Celtic win the title and prepare for the Euro 2008 finals Georgios Samaras

"I want to play football and I want to play in the first 11," Samaras said.

"But the only thing that I can say now is that I want to focus on our games and after, when the season is finished, we can discuss everything.

"I came here because I wanted Celtic to win the title and to help me get ready for Euro 2008."

Samaras said he had been blown away by his first experience of the Old Firm derby, and was keen to feature on Wednesday.

"The atmosphere is great - that's the reason it is one of the best derbies in the world," he said.

"I have also played in the Manchester derby, but this is 10 times more pressure and 10 times more fanatical.

"It's a massive game. We must win to keep our faith to win the title.

"We are sure we are going to win. We will try 100% to win and try to win the title."