The Greece striker, 23, is in red-hot form, having netted nine goals in his last seven games and is already only four shy of his previous best for a campaign.

He picked up a knock in Saturday's last-gasp Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Aberdeen but is expected to be passed fit for tomorrow night's Champions League clash with Villarreal.

"This is the best start I've had to a season in my career. I've been really pleased," said Samaras, who is expected to lead the line in a 4-5-1 formation at El Madrigal.

"But I'll be judged on what I have done at the end of the season, not right now. So I know I have to keep scoring goals.

"My confidence is high and I feel that when you have a lot of belief in yourself, it shows when you go out on the pitch.

"It's good to play for a manager who understands the type of player I am, and I'm enjoying everything we do on the training field as well as in the matches."

But Samaras, who completed a permanent switch from Manchester City this summer following last season's loan spell at Parkhead, knows he must continue to impress to avoid losing his place to striking rivals Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald.

Samaras told the Evening Times: "My main concern is to try to stay in the team because there are a lot of good strikers at the club."