Celtic brace for Gary Hooper exit as trio on radar

Johnny Russell: Celtic target. Picture: SNS

• Celtic monitor attacking trio as they brace for Gary Hooper exit

• Hull City reportedly readying £4 million bid for Hooper

Dundee United striker Johnny Russell is reported to be a target for Celtic, who may lose at least one striker this summer as speculation mounts over Gary Hooper’s future.

Russell, who has just 12 months left on his contract at Tannadice, is certain to depart after Dundee United announced they would sell him this summer rather than risk letting him leave for nothing next year.

Celtic are also awaiting a decision from Bulgarian winger Aleksander Tonev, who is considering offers from Werder Bremen and Malaga.

Though a £2 million deal with Lech Poznan is on the brink of being agreed, Tonev is not expected to make up his mind for at least another 24 hours.

Another Celtic target, Amido Balde, will command a similar fee to make the move to Glasgow. The Portugese winger, who plays for Vitoria Guimaraes, has attracted interest from Newcastle and Sevilla and starred in his side’s 2-1 win over much-fancied Benfica in the Portugese Cup final.

Meanwhile, Gary Hooper is set to be the subject of a £4 million bid from newly-promoted Hull City, the latest club to come knocking at Celtic’s door for the former Scunthorpe striker. Celtic will face losing Hooper for nothing if they fail to sell him this summer, but he is regarded as pivotal to Celtic’s push for another adventure in the Champions League next season.

The Englishman was at the centre of several bids in January, with suitors Norwich having offered up to £6 million for the striker at the end of repeated enquiries.

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