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England call in Gary Hooper

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Gary Hooper Celtic newsGary Hooper is expected to be named in the England u-21 squad today.

The 15 goal striker has made a big impact at Celtic and was watched in the most recent Celtic-Rangers match by England duo Stuart Pearce and Franco Baldini.

Pearce will name his squad for the friendlies with Denmark and Iceland later this month with Hooper managing to qualify.

The striker turned 23 in January but is eligible to play at u-21 level which runs in two year cycles because he was 21 at the time the current campaign started.

If Hooper shows up well in the gams he’s likely to be included in the England squad that plays in the end of season European Championships in Denmark.

Pearce takes his squad to Viborg to face the Danes on Thursday March 24 followed by a visit from Iceland to Preston on Monday March 28.

At the European Championships England have been drawn in the same group as Spain, Ukraine and the Czech Republic with those matches taking place between June 12 and 19.

Pearce’s squad is short on firepower with none of his strikers currently playing regularly in the Premiership.

England have failed to score in their last three u-21 internationals against Italy, Germany and Romania with Chelsea’s Josh McEachran and on-loan Everton striker James Vaughan forming the front pairing in the 1-0 defeat to Italy last month.

In Italy this afternoon Scotland hope to beat the Czech Republic to advance to the final stages of the u-17 European Championships.

Seven Celtic players are in Ross Mathie’s squad with Marcus Fraser, Joe Chalmers, John Herron, Lewis Kidd and Islam Feruz playing in the draw against hosts Italy and the win over Slovakia.

With two wins from their group matches the Czech’s just need a draw to progress with Scotland coach Ross Mathie looking forward to the challenge.

He said: “We are all delighted to have won the game to give us a chance against the Cezch Republic on Monday.”

The game with the Czech’s kick’s off at 3pm local time.

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