Go on yourself Hooper

Hooper: referees want to give decisions against Celtic


Gary Hooper believes Scottish referees give decisions disproportionately against Celtic.
The striker, who was at the centre of the controversial refereeing call in his team’s recent win at Dundee United, was asked during a press conference at Lennoxtown whether he felt that "there was a disproportionate amount of decisions" that went against Celtic. He answered: "Yes, I think so, yes. Because we are one of the biggest teams in the world. Everyone wants to beat us, all the teams, and the referee wants to give a decision againt us so he can say something after the game"

The English forward, a summer signing from Scunthorpe United, was the man who went down in the box under Dundee United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis’ challenge in the match almost three weeks ago, leading to referee Dougie McDonald pointing to the spot.

The circumstances surrounding McDonald’s decision to rescind that penalty award sparked an investigation by the Scottish Football Association, which revealed that the referee had lied over the decision making process.

Celtic have written to the SFA to demand an explanation over the incident but are still awaiting a formal reply. Hooper said he was only giving his own opinion and said that the rest of the team did not talk about such matters in the dressing room.

“The ref, he's made a mistake, he's come out and lied about it, said he's lied and you've just got to let other people deal with it. We deal with the football, winning points and pushing up the table.”

The Tannadice penalty decision was reversed by McDonald, who originally claimed he changed his mind after being summoned by his linesman, Steven Craven, to challenge the decision. However, it later emerged that McDonald instead sought his own clarification from Craven, unprompted, despite having told his original story to Celtic boss Neil Lennon and referees observer Jim McBurney.

Though warned over the inconsistencies in his reporting, McDonald was praised by the SFA for eventually making the correct decision in not giving Celtic a penalty. However, Hooper is still adamant that his team should have had the opportunity to go 2-1 up, insisting he was fouled before goalkeeper Pernis touched the ball.

“Yes, he [Pernis]'s got me first and then the ball,” Hooper said. “I'm admitting he got the ball but he got me first and taken me down first and pushed the ball away. But it doesn't matter now.

“It's been three weeks now, we've had the Old Firm game in between that and we're still talking about it more than the Old Firm game.”

When pressed further on whether he felt McDonald should stand down after failing to tell the truth in the first instance, Hooper responded: “It's up to him. It depends what they decide. As I said, he's lied, he's said to the paper he's lied to the gaffer and lied to everyone else, so it's a big decision.”

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Hooper: referees want to give decisions against Celtic | Football | STV Sport

 

I think we should keep Hooper away from the press to be honest He's going to end up causing us problems one of these times. I doubt if he can even remember half the things he's said once an interview has finished.

 

tbh, i wouldnt argue with hooper, he looks like a * boxer.

 

well in another lad outspoken

 

Well to be honest has anything he said been false? No he has spoken the truth and his opinion nothing bad about that, if you actually listen to what he says he drifts around the points made about refs and continually focuses and states that its up to celtic to do it on the pitch and nothing else. So good on gary and good to hear he is match fit for saturday.

 

think hooper says anything they want to hear think he should keep away from the press from now on hahaha

 

Well said Gary Hooper.

 

Agreed, when i see title saying " Hooper press conference " I automatically think aw * .. They are pretty funny though he doesn't * about does he?

 

Is that definite mate?

 

intae the *

 

You a hun in disguise? Got a problem with Hooper speaking his mind?

It's about time someone from Celtic spoke out.

It's a sad state of affairs that our club leaves it to one the players to address the issue.

Then again, with fans like you, it's hardly surprising. You're yellow.

 

So would I, but when our manager and board are saying * all what do you expect?

Pathetic capitulation to the SFA all week.

 

He talks pish if you ask me. A lot of desicions go against the big clubs because refs want to tell people they gave a desicion against one of the biggest teams in the world.. Whats that all about?

 

Cut out the insults/trolling.

NOW.

 

Yes I am a hun in disguise who spends all his time posting on a celtic forum...
I don't have any problem with him speaking his mind but I don't think he even means what he says half the time to be honest, I think he just says the first thing that pops into his head to try and get the interview over with. I don't think we should put him in front of the press because he could cause us problems with the points he makes. A good example being just prior to the hun game when he said we're the best team in the league and wrote their team talk for them. I mean, look at the points he actually made: "referees make decisions against celtic because we're a big club, I think all big clubs get it" I just don't think speaking to the press is his greatest strength tbh. In saying that, he's an excellent player and i'm a big fan of his. Just think he should do his talking on the pitch!

 

Over, yes, Hooper may not be the brightest spark in the world. But I'm sure he's just as frustrated as the rest of us about what's going on. But if the club are going to maintain this inexcusable silence then they can't complain when players start expressing their own frustrations.

The club needs to start representing/defending the players and us.

 

I was a bit concerned he may be pulled up by the SFA about his comments but that wont happen, thats opening up the can of worms they have been trying to keep closed for the last few weeks. There has always been a bias against Celtic but since Hugh Dallas got in charge of the refs, they have gotten more and more blase about it.

 

well real radio are gonna have a feild day on him lads ffs

 

You don't have a clue what's going on in the background, I think they're in a better position to judge the best course of action!