Celtic manager Neil Lennon has rubbished rumours linking Greek forward Georgios Samaras with a move to Liverpool, after a Daily Mail report linked the 27-year-old with a £5m switch to Anfield.

Georgios Samaras
Samaras has been an integral part of Celtic's Champions League progress to the knock out stage Reuters

"It's just speculation, someone taking a flyer. I'm not sure if anyone will want to leave just now, the way things are going. Samaras has been a huge player for the club. He's been through a lot and has come out the other side and you can see what the fans think of him," Goal.com quoted Lennon as saying.

The Bhoys have secured a place in the knock-out rounds of the Champions League this season, after finishing second to Spanish giants Barcelona in their group. Most impressively, Celtic have joined a select band of clubs who have beaten Barcelona in European competition in recent seasons, with a win at Celtic Park in November. And the 41-year-old Lennon is convinced the former Manchester City forward will choose to stay in Scotland and continue with the project in hand.

"I don't think he'd be wanting to leave in too much of a hurry. The fact we're through [is the difference]. The players aren't looking a week or two down the line for the next Champions League game and maybe saving a bit for it. They know what's at stake, they know our consistency hasn't been all there," Lennon explained.

The Reds' need for striking options up front is not a new development. Brendan Rodgers has had only Uruguayan international Luis Suarez to call on for most of the season so far, after summer signing Fabio Borini suffered a fractured foot early in the year and England international Andy Carroll was loaned out to West Ham United. The former Swansea manager has acknowledged a strike partner for the South American is a must.

"We know he needs support going forward. If we can add the types of players we want to finish off the type of play we are producing it is going to be a really exciting team. For now we'll just keep plugging away, keep our heads down," the Northern Irishman said.

The Anfield club have been linked with a number of strikers in recent weeks, including Serie A club Napoli's Mauro Zarate, Swansea City's Michu, West Brom's Shane Long, Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge.