Celtic anticipate Hooper bids

Celtic manager Neil Lennon admits he expects further interest in striker Gary Hooper before the end of January.

Last Updated: 22/01/13 at 19:21 Post Comment   

Gary Hooper: Scoring his first goal against Hearts on Saturday

Gary Hooper: Scoring his first goal against Hearts on Saturday

Celtic dismissed a £5m bid from Norwich for the Englishman, who took his season's tally to 18 with a double in the 4-1 victory over Hearts on Saturday.

As well as attracting the attention of potential suitors - Hooper's form in the Champions League, along with team-mate Fraser Forster, has been noted by England coach Roy Hodgson, who has already included the Celtic goalkeeper in his squad.

But the Hoops boss stressed it will take an exceptional bid for Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell to consider allowing Hooper to leave.

"Everyone has their price and what Gary's price is will be down to the board and myself to decide," Lennon said. "What we were offered on Thursday was nowhere near our valuation of the player.

"We don't have a set figure, however, goalscorers are at a premium and Gary is a goalscorer so we will set the bar pretty high for him.

"I am hearing that they (Norwich) might come again but good luck to them on that. He is at a big club as it is and he is in the Champions League.

"His ambition possibly is to play in the Premier League and I think he is good enough to do it now, there is no question about that.

"It just depends on the level he wants to play at and I don't think he is far away from international level as well. I mentioned him to Roy last week and he said he is keeping tabs on the two boys so it's all good.

"I am not going to stop any of the guys' progress because I wouldn't have wanted that done to myself, but I am the manager of the club and they have to do what Peter Lawwell and I think is best for the club's interests and, in the short term, it is keeping Gary Hooper here.

"But we still have two weeks to go of the transfer window and the last week gets pretty heavy. I am sure he is on the radar of plenty of clubs."

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

Hodgson plea for clubs' help

England boss Roy Hodgson has called for Manchester City and Tottenham to follow Chelsea's lead and release players early.

Bundesliga: Fortuna down in dramatic finale as Hoffenheim and Augsburg escape

Fortuna Dusseldorf were relegated from the Bundesliga as Hoffenheim and Augsburg staged final-day escape acts.

Hibs and Saints win, Dons draw

David Wotherspoon clinched a 1-0 win for Hibs over Dundee, while St Mirren also won and Aberdeen and Hearts shared a 1-1 draw.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved