Fire still burns for Hakan Şükür

Hakan Şükür won the UEFA Cup with Galatasaray in 2000

Hakan Şükür said he would "give everything" for Galatasaray AS with rumours of his imminent departure coinciding with a match-winning performance at Panionios GSS.

Future uncertain
The 36-year-old striker came off the bench at half-time with the scores level at 0-0 and turned the game around, setting up Serkan Çalık for the first goal, contributing to the move that saw them earn a penalty for the second and heading home the third himself. "Maybe I will not be wearing a Galatasaray shirt next season but I will give everything for the team before I leave," said the veteran. "I am hoping for a return to the national side too."

Peripheral figure
Hakan Sükür has scored four goals in his last eight games but has been a peripheral figure in Karl-Heinz Feldkamp's squad as the German coach looks to give the team a younger look. Rumours have been spreading that the unsettled international might be looking to move elsewhere during the winter, but Hakan Sükür was adamant that would not be happening.

Misleading rumours
"In 2006 I signed a two-year contract with the club which was set to expire before the start of UEFA EURO 2008™ and I said at that time that I would leave Galatasaray after this period," he said. "Now some reports are claiming that I could leave the team in mid-season. I don't want anybody to believe them. I can only move abroad at the end of the season."

Final match
That means he is sure to be focused on the remainder of the campaign, with Galatasaray needing a win in their final Group H game at home against FK Austria Wien on 19 December to be sure of a chance of playing in the competition after the new year, having lost their first two group stage matches. "We want to get six points and we are half way there," said Hakan Sükür. "After this, we will work with our young team-mates and try to qualify from the group."