Georgios Samaras took it upon himself to teach young Irish striker Cillian Sheridan a thing or two during pre-season but the big Greek may regret his hands on approach when it comes to trying to shift the Cavan youngster from the Celtic first team.

Samaras is back in the reckoning after knee surgery and 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 scored his second goal of the game, after being given his chance in recent weeks in the absence of injured trio Samaras, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Chris Killen.

"In pre-season, myself and Cillian played some games together and I tried to put him in the correct positions," said Samaras today. "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 said in the Daily Record.

The Greek, 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."