Hull City ‘not after Gary Hooper’ says Steve Bruce

QPR could stil lbid for Gary Hooper, but Hull appeared to have cooled their interest in the striker. Picture: SNS

The Tigers had a £6 million bid for the former Scunthorpe striker knocked back in January, and Bruce instead focused on Burnley forward Charlie Austin - a target for Celtic should Hooper leave - who was due to sign for Hull earlier this week.

However Austin failed a medical at the KC Stadium on Tuesday and the deal fell through.

But Bruce has stated that he will not be putting in any more bids for Hooper despite Austin’s transfer falling through, saying: “We had a bid for [Hooper] rejected and I can’t see there being any change in that.”

Both QPR and Norwich submitted bids in an attempt to secure the English striker’s services this week, but both bids were rejected, with the Parkhead club reportedly holding out for more money.

Hooper has been linked with a string of clubs, and was the subject of repeated bids from Norwich during the January transfer window,and it is believed that the Canaries are still monitoring the situation.

In today’s Scottish Sun, QPR boss Harry Redknapp is reported as confirming his interest in Hooper.

QPR’s offer of £4 million plus add-ons was dismissed by Celtic earlier this week, but Redknapp has revealed that Hooper is a player he likes and is interested in bringing to Loftus Road.

He told The Sun: “I don’t know where we are with it just now. We will see what develops. I don’t get involved in that side of things. I merely identify players of interest and leave the rest to our chief executive.”

Redknapp has reportedly been keeping tabs on the 25-year-old hitman since his Scunthorpe days, and Hooper is believed to be keen on a move to London, having knocked back several contract extension offers from Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell.

The Parkhead side have priced Hooper at £6 million or more, with Scunthorpe due a percentage of the transfer fee.