Vital Celtic Archive

Key player focus: Gary Hooper our Essex Bhoy

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Gary Hooper came from considerably humble backgrounds, not so long ago he was playing non-league English football with Grays Athletic.

Gary Hooper came from considerably humble backgrounds, not so long ago he was playing non-league English football with Grays Athletic and a succession of loans and movement between the lower leagues has delivered him to top flight Scottish football.

He was a signing from Scunthorpe United for approximately £2.4million, money well spent? His early start would suggest so with 4 goals in 4 league appearances. His goalscoring record for Scunthorpe United was also phenomenally good with 19 goals in the Npower Championship last season making him the second top scorer.

He is an old school English forward, poaching in the box, good link up play and an eye for a good pass. Hooper or ‘Hoops’ as the fans have dubbed him has certainly stolen the hearts of Celtic fans after not having a proper goalscorer since the departure of Scott McDonald.

Hooper signed for Celtic after much speculation over his future with Middlesbrough and Leeds United leading the charge before Celtic swooped in and nabbed him from under their noses. His behaviour handling his transfer saga was very professional not making comments or pushing for a deal, which is only too good in the modern game where footballers are spoiled and act not out of loyalty but how big they can line their pockets.

Our Essex bhoy will in no doubt play a big role this season, marshalling the attack on an all out assault of Scotland, I see goals’a plenty for this young man and a bright future …….. hopefully at Celtic.

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