Lennon rules out Hooper exit

by Setanta Staff , 07 February 2012 Celtic_SPL

Celtic boss Neil Lennon insists striker Gary Hooper is not for sale, amid reports Russian side Zenit St Petersburg are keen.


The former Scunthorpe striker has proved a huge success since his £1.6million move to Celtic Park in 2010.

Hooper already has 16 goals to his name this season and was the subject of a £5million bid from Championship side Southampton in the January transfer window, an offer Celtic instantly rejected.

There is speculation that Zenit will launch a £7million move before the Russian transfer window closes on February 24, but Lennon insists the frontman is not for sale at any price.

He told the Evening Times: "You simply can't put a price on Gary. I saw figures bandied about during the last transfer window. But he's just too valuable to this club even to consider selling him."

Meanwhile, Celtic can move four points clear at the top of the SPL table if they win their game in hand at Hearts on Wednesday.

However, Lennon insists the title race is still wide open and he will not tolerate any complacency within the Celtic camp as he bids to land the league crown.

"Rangers are the champions and they are the champions for a reason," said Lennon. "We have to take on all the challenges that come our way and overcome them as best we can. There will be no room for complacency here and anyone showing that will be not playing."

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Pos
Team P W D L +/- PTS
1.
Man City
38
28
5
5
64
89
2.
Man Utd
38
28
5
5
56
89
3.
Arsenal
38
21
7
10
25
70
4.
Tottenham
38
20
9
9
25
69
5.
Newcastle
38
19
8
11
5
65
6.
Chelsea
38
18
10
10
19
64
7.
Everton
38
15
11
12
10
56
8.
Liverpool
38
14
10
14
7
52
9.
Fulham
38
14
10
14
-3
52
10.
West Brom
38
13
8
17
-7
47
11.
Swansea
38
12
11
15
-7
47
12.
Norwich
38
12
11
15
-14
47
13.
Sunderland
38
11
12
15
-1
45
14.
Stoke
38
11
12
15
-17
45
15.
Wigan
38
11
10
17
-20
43
16.
Aston Villa
38
7
17
14
-16
38
17.
QPR
38
10
7
21
-23
37
18.
Bolton
38
10
6
22
-31
36
19.
Blackburn
38
8
7
23
-30
31
20.
Wolverhampton
38
5
10
23
-43
25
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