Gary Hooper keen to stay with Celtic despite Southampton offers

GARY Hooper says he has no intention of leaving Celtic.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon confirmed that the club have rejected “a couple of offers” from Southampton for the 23-year-old striker, one of which is estimated at £4 million, and would “continue to do that”.

The striker yesterday told Celtic’s website: “I’m very happy. I’m back playing now and scored at the weekend. It was good to be back in the team. I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m a Celtic player and very happy here winning games and we’re two points clear at the top of the league just now.

“I’m just focusing on football – training, playing and scoring goals – that’s my job.”

Hooper returned from a groin injury to score the opening goal in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Dundee United – their 11th straight league victory – which kept Celtic two points clear at the top of the SPL.

Celtic are still in with a chance of winning a domestic treble with a Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final against Falkirk at the end of the month, as well as a fifth-round game in the William Hill Scottish Cup away to either Dunfermline or Inverness. However, the former Scunthorpe striker said the team are not looking too far ahead.

He said: “Our aim is to win every game and perform like we did in the first half and parts of the second half on Saturday. I think we’re performing well and scoring goals.”

Hooper’s strike against United was his 16th goal of the season, his 12th in the SPL. The Englishman is two goals behind Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic in the SPL scoring charts and one ahead of strike partner Anthony Stokes in all competitions.

“I’m back in front, but the main thing is winning games,” Hooper said. “I’m enjoying my football. Stokesy and I are linking up well. He set me up at the weekend, and Victor [Wanyama] had a great header as well, and we got the three points.”