Celtic striker Georgios Samaras would welcome Hibernian providing a serious and lasting challenge to the Old Firm duopoly this season.

The Easter Road men have split the Glasgow giants by moving into second place behind Tony Mowbray's men and the former Manchester City striker, like most people in Scottish football, is happy to see a different name near the top of the table.

Greece international Samaras said: "When we played against them in the second or third game of the season and won 1-0, it was a really tough game. They are a good team but I don't know if they can stay there."

He added: "We see a lot of teams who have a good start and for the first six months they are doing well, but they blow up because us and Rangers have the quality to stay there until the end.

"But I hope they are good enough to challenge until the end of the season because it would be a nice surprise, like it was when Hearts did it a few years ago."

Samaras, who was praised by Mowbray for his performance in the goalless draw against Hamburg in their Europa League clash in Germany on Thursday night, insists he will continue to seek improvement.

He said: "I think I had a good game but I have more to give to my club, my team-mates and my manager as well.

"I am never happy with my performance.

"After every game I go home and try to watch the game again, to see the good points and bad points and try to fix my mistakes."