Manager disappointed by Gary Hooper cap snub

Hooper was called up to the England under-21 squad by Pearce last season but withdrew through injury. Despite his current free-scoring form for runaway SPL leaders Celtic, however, he was left out of Pearce’s first senior squad selection since becoming caretaker manager.

Manchester United’s Danny Wellbeck, Daniel Sturridge of Chelsea and Sunderland’s Frazier Campbell were all involved in England’s 3-2 defeat to the Dutch at Wembley on Wednesday night, a trio of front men with whom Lennon is convinced Hooper compares more than favourably.

“I’m surprised and disappointed that Gary didn’t get called up,” said Lennon. “Of the players who were picked, Gary is the equal of them, if not better than a few of them, on current form. Not only on current form, but on the form he has shown in the last season and a half.”

Pearce made a personal check on Hooper last month, watching him score in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle, but Lennon fears both the 24-year-old and English goalkeeper Fraser Forster may be being penalised for plying their trade in the SPL. “I don’t know if the fact he’s playing in Scotland is going against him,” added Lennon. “It shouldn’t. Jay Bothroyd was named in an England squad when he was playing in the Championship and Robert Green, who is playing in the Championship this season, was in the squad for the Dutch game this week. Why should the SPL be any different?

“Stuart Pearce hasn’t asked me about Gary, but he was up at the Hearts game when the team played brilliantly. Gary scored a goal and played well, as did Fraser. Listen, I’m not going to tell people what to do with their squads. But I can keep recommending my players to them, as I’ve done with Anthony Stokes for the Republic of Ireland.”