Celtic midfielder Kris Commons has urged Celtic to resist the temptation to sell top scorer Gary Hooper after the club rejected a second bid from Championship leaders Southampton for the player.
11:35PM GMT 15 Jan 2012
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The 23 year-old has scored 16 goals in 29 appearances during the current Scottish Premier League campaign, leaving him just six goals short of his total for the whole of his debut season at Parkhead.
Two years ago Hooper scored 20 goals for Championship side Scunthorpe United while Andy Carroll managed 19 as Newcastle United won promotion, prompting manager Neil Lennon to put a £35 million price tag on Hooper’s head.
Lennon was not merely being mischievous: in the year since his move to Anfield, Carroll, also 23, has scored just six goals for his new club, including a goal apiece against Exeter City and Oldham Athletic.
“I think Andy Carroll is a very good player,” said Lennon. “Whether people think the fee is justified [or not], it’s not the player’s fault. But we look at that, we look at some of the other prices being bandied about.
“When we have players like Ki Sung-yueng, Beram Kayal, Emilio Izaguirre, Hooper and James Forrest, they are not going to go cheap, that’s for sure.
“They will have to pay proper money. I don’t need to speak to the board, they know my position.”
The manager’s frustration over wealthier rivals attempting to take his players for less than the going rate is understandable: he is currently seeking to add another scorer to his squad and certainly does not want to lose his most reliable source of goals.
“Everyone has their price,” he said. “We are not a selling club but everyone has their price.
“The problem is if we get a knockout price, will we have time to replace someone like Gary Hooper? Trust me, they are hard to find.
“I have spoken to Gary, I am keeping him up to date. I think he is very happy here. I think Celtic and Gary suit each other, he is a Celtic type of player, strong, great finisher, great feet and his goal record speaks for itself.”
Commons believes that Hooper is such an essential component of the Celtic team that it would be impossible to put a valuation on him.
“It’s not for me to say what Gary’s worth or what the club’s holding out for,” he said.
“That’s for them to decide and I’m sure they will do their utmost and damnedest to keep Gary at this club “He’s a massive, massive player for us and his scoring record speaks for itself. Hopefully, I can still be playing with him in February.
“Gary can then try and help us win the league. I just believe he’s a top forward and is a joy to play with every week.
“He’s a natural goalscorer. He’s priceless.”
Commons empathises with Hooper’s predicament, however, and admits that it’s difficult for footballers to remain focused on the day job when they are constantly being linked with moves elsewhere.
“It’s unsettling,” he said. “You never know if you’re future’s going to be here or away. You never know if the club’s going to accept an offer. It’s the uncertainty of the transfer window.
“I think if you speak to any player, any manager, it’s an unsettling period for all parties. It’s not an enjoyable time to go through, from January 1 right up until the end of January.
“For Gary, I think it will be better for him once the window shuts and he can concentrate on his football knowing he’s not going anywhere.
“I’ve had a few moves myself and it’s all you seem to think about.”
Lennon admits Celtic side missed the sparkle of James Forrest against Dundee United at Parkhead yesterday. The Scotland winger has arguably been Celtic’s best player this season but was sidelined after being unable to shrug off a virus.
Lennon, whose side went back two points clear of Rangers who had beaten St Johnstone 2-1 at McDiarmid Park earlier in the day, is hoping the 20-year-old will be back refreshed for the trip to St Mirren next week.
“You can see how much we do miss him,” said the Irishman, who, nevertheless, was pleased by his team’s overall performance.
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