Celtic striking option takes surprise turn
Football - Celtic v Dundee United - Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League - Celtic Park - 22/1/13 Gary Hooper (R) celebrates with Lassad Nouioui after scoring the first goal for Celtic Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith Livepic
Negotiations to take Gary Hooper to Iranian side Esteghlal FC have collapsed.
The striker has been available as a free agent since May but talks to move to Iran have gone the same way as previous discussions with Bristol City.
Celtic were linked with an interest in Hooper in June with Neil Lennon still a big fan of the striker that he signed from Scunthorpe in 2010 as he created his new look side led by Hooper and Tony Stokes.
Esteghlal, Gary Hooper fail to reach agreementhttps://t.co/f6anFZ8NRB@EsteghlalFC_En @Stramaccioni76 @garyhooper_fans
— masoud hossein (@masoud_hossein) October 13, 2019
The striking position appears to be the one that Celtic look most vulnerable in with Odsonne Edouard virtually unchallenged in that area.
Vakoun Bayo has only started one of eight SPFL Premiership matches while Leigh Griffiths has been hampered by injuries after missing the second half of last season.
Hooper left Celtic for Norwich in 2013, last season he scored once in six Championship appearances for Sheffield Wednesday.