Neil Lennon: 'Gary Hooper will not leave Celtic'

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has insisted that Gary Hooper will not leave the club in January.

The 24-year-old striker has been in impressive form for the Scottish champions this season, scoring 14 goals in 25 competitive appearances, and has reportedly attracted the attention of Southampton.

"No, I'm pretty confident [Hooper will stay]," Lennon told reporters. "We don't need to sell. As I said before, everyone has their price and I think I will have a say in the decision if a huge bid comes in for any of the players.

"But I don't want them to go. I want them to see this season out anyway, and make a real fist of the competitions.

"There are not many teams still going on four fronts – including the Champions League – with half the season gone."

Lennon added that moving to a club in the bottom half of the Premier League table would be a step back for Hooper.

"If we receive a bid on the last day of the window, it's too late," he said. "I wouldn't have time [to replace him] and they've all month to put a bid in. It does happen but it won't happen here, not to any of our major players anyway.

"To leave with all the things going on here and go to what could be a lower-end Premier League team, I think that would be a backward step. He has produced time and again so I think he's one of the best strikers we have had here for quite a while.

"Regardless of the speculation, I'll rebuff the offers unless it is an astronomical one that suits everybody."

Hooper joined Celtic from Scunthorpe United in 2010.