Torrancetim
Well-known member
Watching a few old videos from the start of the second 9 , how good was Gary hooper
In my opinion what a striker , thoughts ?
In my opinion what a striker , thoughts ?
How good was Gary Hooper?
- Thread starter Torrancetim
- Start date
Bridie Bhoy
Well-known member
A brilliant goal scorer. Thought he could move onto bigger things instead of staying to become a legend for us but like so many others, he didn't.
The Shamrock
Well-known member
Loved the guy for being a brilliant goal machine and was bitterly disappointed when he went. He just couldn't recreate his time at Paradise and others should take note.
michael duffy
Well-known member
Thought he was business,think he thought he was the business,using Celtic as a stepping stone, but hey,thanks for the memories Gary! hunskelper!
TET
Well-known member
I liked him
think he moved on at right time. Some players need to move on. Who knows if he would have declined if he stayed? Went at a time stock was high. Turned out good move for club since he was replaced. And his record went downhill after celtic. It can happen to the best. Sinclair declined, lots of players have it, then get sussed or lose it. Hard bit is letting high stock player go, when he has good value price rather than holding him until he leaves for free or worth lot less.
Bridie Bhoy
Well-known member
I see what you are saying, but i truly believe he had at least 3 more years scoring at the same level as he was if he'd stayed at Parkhead. Instead he joined Delia's team to partner Wolfswinkel (or Foxtadger or something similar) up front for Norwich and was shite.
Of course, it it is all guesswork on my part though and we have enjoyed so much success since he left so you are right.
TET
Well-known member
I was sad to see him go, but I always weigh up if I think price is enough.
Eg would we have bought him for price offered? Personally I thought price was decent offer.
Some players are better when they get new challenge at their peak.
Others feel comfortable staying since they have good platform to develop/ or have settled family.
If player is homesick or needing a new challenge to get his next level then perhaps these factors are important.
personally, unless you loved club before you joined then I doubt the staying power of some players who are not Scottish.
Some get it. Others feel Scottish football is too low for them. Others want highest wage.
For whatever reason Gary left. He was great player. Club got decent price. And sometimes life after Celtic aint quite same buzz, and sometimes different club adds to the player.
Dembele is a good example.
I didn't think he would be replaceable. And for while it was sore one. But his leaving gave eddy the platform he really needed.
Perhaps both would have grown together?
Perhaps not?
Again was good enough price for me to let him go.
Would not have signed him for price we received.
Lubos left peg
Well-known member
My favourite Hooper goal was when his first touch left weir searching for his Zimmer frame and half his hip as Hooper flew past him to knock it past Mcgreger. Great finish
Lubos left peg
Well-known member
Lubos left peg
Well-known member
In that moment I bet old Davie felt every second of his 61 years 
Torrancetim
Well-known member
There are a few in that team that left and faded into the shadows, Adam Matthews, joe Ledley etc and a few who disappeared completely , good team none the less
The grass is never as green as it is at paradise
The grass is never as green as it is at paradise
Weedocbhoy60
Well-known member
A TOP hunskelper and quality striker. Former a formidable partnership with Sammaras.
K
kelly
Guest
Thought he was a great penalty box striker could always sniff out a goal was a great find
Digger
Well-known member
Good goal scorer,but he was playing for a team that was supplying him from all angles,when he moved down south he was lost,not getting the service he was getting at Celtic,he was playing with forwards who wanted to have a go themselves so had to work harder for his goals,seen a few like him over the years great in thier own team but useless elsewhere.(Boyd for example) yes some make it because they adapt to thier new team the grass is not always greener than Celtic Park
T
Tony
Guest
Got a lot of good memories from his time with us but he made a cunt of it when he left.Wonder if he regrets it now?
Larry7
Well-known member
He was a great goalscorer in the SPL and an accomplished Hunskelper: fast and a really good finisher. The problems he faced in our league were that he was too fast for linesmen, who often flagged him offside when he was clearly on, and old man Weir was allowed to kick him and pull him with impunity.
I often suspected he was slightly out of his depth in Europe. He lacked a bit of guile and so I think talk of an international career was always a tad fanciful.
I'd rate him as an excellent striker and the fourth best post-Henke after Eddy, Moussa and the Griff.
I often suspected he was slightly out of his depth in Europe. He lacked a bit of guile and so I think talk of an international career was always a tad fanciful.
I'd rate him as an excellent striker and the fourth best post-Henke after Eddy, Moussa and the Griff.
Theverdict1
Well-known member
He was a great signing.
