Is playing in the SPL harming players chances of playing for England?

Celtic striker Gary Hooper has revealed his frustration at not being given a chance at international level by England.

The former-Scunthorpe striker has been firing home the goals in the SPL for the last two seasons and was considered an outsider for England Euro 2012 squad.

Frustration

Hopper told the Sun newspaper: “ Down here in England people actually think that I am Scottish. I must admit it’s very frustrating not to be considered for England. In the last four years I’ve scored 101 goals but I have not had a look-in.

“Of the 51 goals I have scored for Celtic, 50 of them have been scored inside the box so I think this shows I am a poacher. Stuart Pearce picked me for one Under 21s squad but I got injured and that was it.

“But it is difficult to get noticed for England playing in Scotland. Fraser Forster has had 25 clean sheets this season. It proves he is a quality English goalkeeper. But he hasn’t been picked”

Standard

Gary Hooper is no doubt a natural goalscorer but the standard of the leagues he has scored goals in has to be questioned. The fact that he is currently playing in the SPL has somewhat made his goalscoring achievements less impressive.

I don’t think Hooper’s goalscoring record should be sniffed at though. The 24 year-old definitely has talent and it’s just a shame that England bosses of the past have overlooked his ability. The questions about the quality of the SPL have been answered somewhat by a Croatian striker now playing in the Premier League.

When Nikica Jelavic moved to Everton from Scottish giants Rangers for £5.5million people questioned whether he would still score goals on a regular basis. The Croatian striker fired home nine goals in just 13 Premier League appearances for the Toffee’s.

Jelavic is a case in point that a goalscorer is a goalscorer. The two players are very different but if Hooper was playing for a Premier League club in England I think he probably would have already received a call-up.

Poacher

England are lacking goal poachers at the moment with Darren Bent not fit enough for the Euros. Hooper describes himself as a goal poacher and that’s what England need. Somebody to apply the finishing touches.

Goal poachers aren’t always the most technically gifted but they know how to find the net. Hooper has proved himself adept at scoring goals first with Scunthorpe and now with Celtic. He may not be the most complete player but he can score goals.

Overlooked

Hooper also makes a good point about teammate Fraser Forster. At a time when England are struggling for goalkeepers that actually want to be in the England squad the on-loan Newcastle man has been overlooked.

Forster has proved himself to be a very steady keeper in the last few seasons. The 24 year-old is also unlucky not to receive a call-up. I mean his record of 25 clean sheets in any league would be pretty impressive. Whenever I have seen him play he has always looked like a very capable keeper.

Move

Fraser Forster is likely to move on from Newcastle this summer. Forster is a very good keeper who wouldn’t let a Premier League team down. His two seasons on-loan at Celtic have certainly gave him the experience and game time he needed to develop his talent.

Happy

As for Hooper he has stated that he is happy playing for Celtic and is looking forward to appearing in the Champions League next season. Whether he can get into the England squad while playing for Celtic remains to be seen.

However if he keeps scoring goals then surely it will be hard for Roy Hodgson and his staff to ignore the striker.

Fresh

I think after the European Championships Roy Hodgson will put his own stamp on the team and bring in some fresh faces. For now though Gary Hooper has to just keep working hard and doing what he’s been doing and I’m sure his chance will come.

Will Gary Hooper receive an international call-up while playing for Celtic?