Georgios Samaras

And so the Manchester City summer clearout continued today, with the announcement that Samaras has signed a three-year deal with Celtic. He didn't attend the training camp in Germany, due to Euro 2008, but his fate was sealed when he made the initial loan move in January. A change in manager did not bring about a change of heart - he is certainly not a "Mark Hughes player".

It seems natural to link this piece with the release of Emile Mpenza earlier this month, but Samaras' circumstances were different. Mpenza was the perfect tonic City needed when he joined the club. He was appropriately gritty for the relegation dogfight of Spring 07-08. He could stand the rigours of the 4-5-1 formation and was well suited for the "poor man's Bolton" football played under Pearce. Served with this oppurtunity, he was able to maximise his potential, writing himself into folklore with just two goals.

Samaras' goal record of 12 in 65 means he can only be seen as a failure, but his circumstances were hardly ideal. His appearance is deceptive and perhaps counted against him. Despite being 1.93 metres tall, he is not the battering ram that many perhaps initially envisaged. His best attributes are control and dribbling, not heading and power, so he was physically not mature for Pearce's football. However, he was also not mentally mature. It was unfortunate for him that City badly needed a goalscorer when they signed him, and the then 21-year-old was thrust into the limelight. Manchester City wanted him to be their 20-goal-a-season man, but what Samaras needed was time to mature - and City could not afford this time when they signed him.

It is perhaps a step too far to put Samaras into the bracket containing Forlan, Veron and Crespo - quality players who just didn't make it in the Premier League - but his talents were certainly not appreciated and this player does have a very good career ahead of him.

People refer to him as a lost cause, but perhaps the phrase "what might have been" better sums him up. Because in the midst of all the irony he provoked, Samaras had moments of brilliance that suggested he really was the rough diamond Pearce had described. Even Arsenal were interested (come to think of it, this club would have been perfect for him and his developing footballing education). And although the jibes made about the quality about the SPL are fair, Celtic are a Champions League team and it looks as if Strachan sees him as a potential heir to Vennegoor of Hesselink.

His reception when the City fans travel up to Parkhead on August the 6th? Well, Samaras has never been taken seriously, and as a result a harsh, bitter reception is unlikely. Most people at City wanted him out anyway.