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Neil Lennon wants Gary Hooper stay

Lennon wants Hooper stay
© PA Photos
Neil Lennon is hoping that Celtic will be able to convince Gary Hooper to stay at the club for at least another season.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has expressed his eagerness to keep hold of Gary Hooper beyond the end of the current campaign.

The 24-year-old was the subject of numerous bids from Norwich City during the January transfer window and while the Canaries are no longer thought to be interested, Hooper's services have been linked with a host of English clubs.

However, Lennon has revealed his hope that the club will be able to put together a financial package that will entice the striker into signing a new contract at Parkhead.

"I haven't really spoken to his agent lately at length but I would like to keep Gary here because he is such an important player," said Lennon. "Goalscorers are at a premium, he is only 24 and has got 28 goals this season, 18 in the league.

"He is two short of having 20-plus goals in the league for the third consecutive season which shows what an important, pivotal player he has been.

"We don't want to break the wage structure because one thing that is important is team spirit. These players, who are not on huge money, have raised the bar here over the last couple of years but we will do what we can to keep him."

Hooper claimed a brace as Celtic defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-1 earlier today to win the Scottish Premier League title.

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon before his side's match against Juventus on March 6, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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