Samaras, 26, was born in Greece to an Australian-born father and still has family in and around Melbourne - and his grandfather helped set up South Melbourne FC after emigrating Down Under.

The striker could have played for the Socceroos but opted to represent Greece over Australia, and has earned 45 caps in a glittering career in both the Scottish and English top flight with Celtic and Manchester City.

But with Greece now sliding into economic decline, Samaras is looking to wind up his career among family and friends in Australia.

"I have got family in Melbourne, my father was born here and I'm an Australian citizen," he told the UK's News Of The World.  "I have an Aussie passport.

"My parents aren't in Melbourne any more but my uncles, aunts and cousins are.

"I really don't know if I will end up playing out here or even managing a club here one day, who knows?

"There is no long-term plan. The only thing I do know is I will never go back to Greece to play.

"I would never rule out the possibility of playing or even managing in Australia one day."

He added: "My grandfather came out here in the 50s and stayed for 10 to 15 years.

"He was one of the founders of South Melbourne FC but he didn't play football. He just
wanted to do something good for the Greek community.

"He liked to help people so he helped set up a team, but he didn't have a clue about football. My father was a good player and went on to become a Greek intemational.

"I can't wait to get to Melbourne and I'm looking forward to seeing all my relatives there.

"I last saw them two years ago in Brisbane because they took a flight and came to see me and
they stayed for our game against Brisbane Roar.

"Now this time I'm going to see them again in their own town, Melbourne.

"I talk to them often on the phone and try to keep up with all their news. When I'm in Australia it feels nice for me, like a second home.

"I really like Melbourne a lot, it's a really good city. When I'm in Melbourne I feel relaxed and comfortable."

Celtic coach Neil Lennon has named Samaras his skipper for Wednesday night's match against Melbourne Victory in tribute to the big striker's local roots.

And Samaras is raring to go, having been kept on ice by Lennon in the 2-0 win over Perth Glory last Saturday.

"I'll try and get an hour into him," Lennon said.

Like his opposite number Mehmet Durakovic, Lennon was tight-lipped on the make-up of Celtic's starting line-up apart from Samaras.

"We've brought a big squad, so there will be a few changes that played against Perth on Saturday," Lennon said.

"We want to give as many players as much game-time as we can."

Swedish international defender Daniel Majstorovic, South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, Scottish attacker Shaun Maloney and Northern Irishman Patrick McCourt are four players tipped to come into the starting line-up with Lennon well-aware Victory cannot be taken lightly.

"By all accounts this will be the toughest game of the tour," Lennon said.

"We had a good week's work in terms of the physical condition of the players in Perth and we got a good performance out of them."