Neil Lennon was delighted to add Gary Hooper to the squad that flew out to Portugal today.
Celtic can add one player before midnight to the squad registered to face Sporting Braga with the £2.4m former Scunthorpe striker filling that spot.
After unveiling the club’s first ever number 88, leaving the coveted number 7 shirt still vacant, Lennon said: “Gary is a player that we’ve been looking at for quite a while.
“I think that we’ve got a good player on our hands, his record is very good but it’s not just his goals that impressed us.
“He can play a bit as well, we’re pleased to get this signing through because there are a lot of clubs after his signature.”
Lennon had hoped to have signing talks with David James yesterday but those were postponed with the keeper likely to meet up with Celtic at the weekend Emirates Cup.
“He (James) couldn’t make it because of personal problems, we were well aware of it. We totally respect that decision and the door is still open.
“He’ll take his time on it and hopefully let us know.”
One signing target that Celtic appear to have missed out on is Sol Campbell who is reported to be having a medical with Newcastle United this morning.
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I’d like to welcome HOOPS to the HOOPS……….
hope you have along and successful career with us.