Hoops close in on duo

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has confirmed the club are close to deals for Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper and Israel midfielder Biram Kayal. Hooper was left out of Scunthorpe's friendly against Sheffield Wednesday as Celtic close in on a deal worth around £2million. Maccabi Haifa midfielder Kayal, 22, looks set to snub offers from Galatasaray and Twente Enschede to join Lennon's host of summer signings. Another newcomer, former Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy, put himself in contention for Tuesday's Champions League opener against Braga when he netted in a 4-1 friendly victory over Lincoln on Saturday. Cha Du-ri and Efrain Juarez are expected to travel to Portugal too as they formalise their moves to Parkhead. Lennon said: "We are close to being over the line with Hooper and Kayal, and Cha and Juarez should be fine to travel." Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins admitted Hooper was almost certain to move on after leaving the 22-year-old, who has scored 50 goals in two seasons, out of the team to face Wednesday. "Obviously I'm aware of the situation that's arising and I didn't want to risk anything," Adkins told his club's website. "The fact of the matter is he hasn't signed for anybody yet and as everyone knows, there are a lot of things to be done before he signs a piece of paper. "It's fair to say though that a situation has arisen where he will probably end up at another football club."

Source: PA