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Gary Hooper: 'Qualification a dream come true'

Hooper: 'Qualification a dream come true'
© PA Photos
Celtic striker Gary Hooper says that progression from the Champions League group phase is "a dream come true".

Celtic's Gary Hooper has declared that progression to the last 16 of the Champions League is "a dream come true".

The striker scored the first goal of the evening as the Hoops qualified from the group stage with a 2-1 victory over Spartak Moscow.

He told Sky Sports News: "It means a lot - it's a dream come true.

"We knew we had to win and the performance was great, we defended better in the second half and it was a great penalty from Kris [Commons].

"We're never written off. Home games is our game and it showed tonight - and the away game against Spartak, as well, we played really well and won the game [3-2]. So keep watching and we'll keep winning."

Hooper went on to say that Celtic have a fighting chance of going even further in the competition thanks to their formidable home record.

"At home, we can beat anyone, I think - we showed that against Barca and then tonight – but we've got to take it game by game and wait for it," he added.

Group G's final standings saw Barcelona and Celtic progress to the next phase, with third-placed Benfica forced to settle for a place in the Europa League.

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Celtic's Gary Hooper celebrates opening the scoring against Spartak on December 5, 2012
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