I have to say that I am extremely excited about how Celtic’s front line has performed in recent weeks. All of the strikers at Gordon Strachan’s disposal are proving to be a real nuisance for the Scottish Premier League defenders and eventually it should lead to som e domestic silverware.

Obviously, after the 0-0 draw in the Champions League against AaB Aalborg, the way these strikers are going to perform in Europe this season cannot be judged as yet. However, if the recent games against Kilmarnock, Livingston and Aberdeen are anything to go by then many football bets can be placed on Celtic getting their shooting boots on in the remaining Champions League games. Shaun Maloney, Scott McDonald, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras have all been on the score sheet since the defeat against Rangers.

It is the latter that has impressed me most though. Greek striker Samaras is slowly becoming a hit with the Celtic fans and is doing this by scoring goals. It is nine in nine games so far this season and I wouldn’t expect him to stop now. For some time I have believed that Strachan pulled off a big transfer coup by bringing him to Celtic Park and he is beginning to prove this. Don’t be surprised if he reaches the 30 goal mark this season. He is simply too much for defenders in this league.

The most recent game saw van Vennegoor of Hesselink get his first goals of the season and this is excellent news as well. It was 20 goals in the last campaign for the Dutch striker and there is no doubt that he needs to perform if Celtic are to be successful. Hopefully his two strikes against Aberdeen will kick start another prolific year for him. He also has a knack of scoring crucial goals doesn’t he? His 90th minute goal sealed the points against Aberdeen for example.

Samaras and Vennegoor of Hesselink should undoubtedly be Strachan’s first choice in my opinion. They have only started three games together so far since the start of the season, during which the Bhoys have scored nine goals. The football odds will always back Celtic to get plenty of goals, but with these two – it is even more the case. I just hope they can turn it on in Europe as well as in domestically.

By Thomas Rooney - A sports writer who blogs about football betting