With every passing game and goal Gary Hooper is playing himself into the affections of the Celtic support.
There are few better feelings in the game than an injury time winner with the former Scunthorpe striker providing exactly that to the delight and adulation of the Celtic support at St Mirren today.
Showing the striking instinct that can’t be coached Hooper stabbed the ball home from six yards out to deliver three vital points for Neil Lennon’s side.
It was his eighth goal from seven SPL starts- none of them from the penalty spot.
Anything less than a win would have earned another tedious airing of the ‘he doesn’t win the important matches’ for the Celtic boss but with back-to-back home matches coming up today’s win was vital.
Last week’s 9-0 win over Aberdeen was pleasing on the eye and a record breaking achievement but today’s win said more about the character of the team and contributes the same three points as a nine goal hammering.
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Since the departure of Henrik Larsson only Aiden McGeady and Artur Boruc have developed a rapport with the fans but less than four months into his Celtic career the club’s first ever number 88 is fast becoming a favourite.
“We got the three points which we needed after Hearts and we’re back on the board,” smiled Hooper after the match.
“We created too many chances, we kept playing. We bounced back. We kept at it all game and scored at the end with a minute to go. Paddy came on, set it up well, there was a deflection and I got a toe poke on it.”
Every match is an adventure for Lennon’s new look team but today’s win and the circumstances of the win over Dundee United a month ago will have worked wonders for team spirit.
Twelve months ago Celtic were shipping points left right and centre as Tony Mowbray struggled to come to terms with the job with a group of players who quickly realised that their manager didn’t particularly rate them.
Lennon knows better than most what is needed to win the SPL and was in no doubt about the value of today’s points.
The Celtic boss said: “”It was imperative that we didn’t lose the game but winning is a huge shot in the arm for us and I felt we deserved it.
“It was a great reaction from last Wednesday night, it’s testament to their character, belief and fitness levels.
“Believe it or not I said at half-time that we might have to go to the 93rd minute to get one goal.
“I’m not a prophet or anything like that but I’ve been in that situation many times with Celtic.
“Hooper was wasn’t at his best today in terms of his play in general but he can score goals.
“I pointed him out half time and said he might nick the win for us but I don’t think we nicked it, I thought we merited it.”
Hibs halt youth side’s winning run
Lennon- I thought that the referee had a fine game
Tuesday 16th Celtic v Rangers u-19s, 1pm kick off at Barrowfield
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Another hard earned win another game that proves this team are not giving up on anything and that they are going to fight for the club and themselves. Well done Lenny for instilling some self belief back in the team thats been missing for years.
Lets not get carried away though we haven’t won anything yet and this is a brand new season under a brand new manager with a brand new team but its a great starting point so lets keep behind them we’re getting there
HAIL HAIL LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION!!!!!!!111111111
fantastic site bhoys
really up to date with excellent content
keep it up
Well hoops goal v dundee utd got the neighbours below us takin, today was mental also….jezzz wasnt it brilliant watching that ball cross the line….fans going mental….viva la revolution colin…
Really like the look of Gary Hooper just what we,ve been missing a penalty box striker.
Thanks Big P yep The future is bright the future is green he he
LONG LIVE THE GREEN REVOLUTION LENNYS BHOYS SHALL RISE AGAIN AS THE BLUE BRIGADE FADE AWAY YEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111
A touch of magic from McCourt to make the goal, Hooper did the rest. Lennon did admit, he made a mistake about team selection against Hearts. Hope Lenny learns from his mistakes. Hail Hail
C’mon the Hoops
Wasn’t pretty but a great result. Loving Hooper’s work – plenty of goals from inside the 6 yard box. And delighted that Ki is starting to perform consistently
Let’s keep it going Bhoys – greeting-faced Houston’s Utd on Saturday. Unleash Paddy on them!! Hail, Hail!!
Great article.Just a wee general point – I’m quite happy with the way things are shaping up – we’ve got a long way to go and I’m not over obsessed with winning the league this year.
What disappoints me a little bit is the giving the captaincy to Maloney. Seems to me this limits Lennons options as sometimes , like today I feel if he didnt have the armband he could’ve been hooked.
I like wee Shaun as a player but he’s never been Mr Consistency, and I dont think he is a guaranteed 90 mins player.I just think when push comes to shove little decisions like that will cost Lennon.
Still , made up with Hooper to an extent, was also a bit worried to hear the comparisons between him and Stokes and Sutton and Larsson.
The sooner we start to realise that 9-0 v Aberdeen was a freak result and “just one of those games” the more we can stop getting carried away with ourselves.
That said – I feel if (and its a big IF) we can get 6 points from our next 2 games at home – we could well find ourselves at the top of the league.
If that happens its imperative that we keep that position until we get the the Rangers game at Ibrox.
And if we can do that , we can afford a draw there and that sets us up with a fighting chance of the league. Long way to go but thats our immediate target as I see it.