Hooper open to Celtic stay

Celtic striker Gary Hooper has hinted that he could yet opt to stay at Parkhead for another season.

The prolific Englishman has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League, and has just one year remaining on his contract with the reigning Scottish Premier League champions.

But he says he is looking forward to competing in the UEFA Champions League again, and attempting to better his 2012-13 goal haul in the SPL.

“I want to beat my tally from last season. That’s the aim because I have done it every season. I also have to get 20 or more league goals because I didn’t just make that, I only got 19,” he told the Daily Record.

“I want to play in the Champions League again, get into the group stage and get that feeling again. I know I wasn’t playing in the game against Barcelona but it was still amazing.

“We also want to retain the title as obviously the league is still our priority.”

Hooper notched 31 goals in 51 appearances for the Scottish club last season, including four at Champions League level.