Neil Lennon hopes to finalise a new deal for Gary Hooper after the striker underlined his importance to Celtic in the win over Spartak Moscow.
Hooper has been a key man for the Bhoys since joining from Scunthorpe United in 2010, and his recent form has seen him linked with an England call-up.
He scored the opening goal in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League victory over Spartak, and Lennon hopes he will soon commit his future to Celtic.
"We're hoping to talk to his agent soon about a new deal but he's probably just put £25,000 a week on his wage," said Lennon in the Daily Record. "I'm just delighted for him because he's a great kid who has been a huge player for me. Long may it continue. "We want to give him a new contract and we're hoping to get that finalised soon." Lennon believes the result in Moscow will have made people in England take notice of Scottish football and pay a bit more respect.
He said: "I hope people down south take notice. It's not a backwater league any more. There are some quality players playing up here.
"To go to Moscow and play like we did is testament to what the players are trying to do here. If people want to take pot-shots at Scottish football, fine. "All we can do is answer with performances like the one in Moscow."
Source: team_talk
