Lennon: I hope Hooper will stay

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is hopeful that striker Gary Hooper will remain at Parkhead after an offer from Hull City was rejected.

Hooper, who scored 19 goals in 30 Scottish Premier League starts last term, has attracted the interest of the Premier League newcomers, who are looking to boost their attacking options.

However, Hull’s bid was deemed insufficient to secure the 25-year-old’s services.

“We had a bid from Hull City which we rejected. Whether they come again, I don’t know,” Lennon told Sky Sports.

“(There is) no set price. The offer made was well below our valuation of player. We would be very happy for him to stay and if he decides to stay on, contract negotiatoins may re-open again.

“He will come to Germany on Monday and will be part of our plans for the (Champions League) qualifiers.”

Hooper, who moved to Celtic from Scunthorpe in 2010, has only one year left on his contract.