Gary Hooper

14th of the season today? not bad.

 

Aye but he canny save penalties!

Punt.

 

* celebration too, can't even do somersaults ffs...

 

is it just me or do we seem to create very few chances for Gary?

 

He is definitely missing Stokes. Those two link up very well with each other.

 

Good to see him getting another goal

 

yeah possibly, idk what it is but youd think our main striker would get the bulk of our chances...but it doesnt seem to be the case

 

I don't know why either but he doesn't get many chances. Whenever Watt plays he seems to have a chance every 15-20 minutes. He's involved in everything. I'm not saying Watt is better than Hooper but it's strange.

Watt certainly has a higher work rate which brings a lot of chances his way. Not to say Hooper has a poor work rate but Watt's is phenomenal.

 

No Commons, no Forrest, half fit Ledley, etc. I think the poor service upfront is to be blamed on so many niggly injuries in our midfield. If everyone can get healthy you'll see goals flowing again.

The other thing is that teams are now well aware of Hooper. He's often double marked when he gets near the box. Makes it tough. It would be nice if Miku or Lassad could start banging them in and make it more difficult to focus on 88.

 

It's because Hooper doesn't create his own chances. He needs good service or a good striking partner to get his chances. He won't run at defenders with tricks or speed to go past them, he always looks for the pass or a quick one-two.

While Watt is a very direct player. He runs at defenders and uses his speed to create his own space to take a shot.

 

It's because he is playing Stokes role this season. You usually find that Hooper actually starts most of our attacks in the final third bu dropping back and trying a killer pass.

Although when Commons is on the pitch it tends to be link up play between them. He's missing Stokesy.

 

14 goals so far is great, when you consider that he's not exactly been banging them in this season on a consistent basis. I don't think its unreasonable to say that he could reach the 30 mark this season. 16 more goals, in all competitions, in the coming five months shouldn't be that hard for a player like Gary.

The scum are not in the league either, so that means another three SPL games against weaker opposition than we would normally face on those occasions.

 

Scum not being here isn't much of a positive in that regard, Hoopers record against the Oldco was exceptional.

 

Good to see him score again but he had absolutely no service at all yesterday.

 

True, but looking at it logically, he has a better chance of scoring a hat trick against Dundee (whom we play instead of the filth) than scoring a hat trick against the Rangers tribute act.

The new zombie club still have some decent SPL level players in their squad, whereas Dundee are really just in the SPL to make up the numbers and will more than likely be in Division 1 next season.

 

I always feel the bigger the game the more likely it is Hooper will score, he's just that kind of player.

I think he'll be aiming for 30+ though.

 

Aye, you would think so. Last player to score 30+ for us in one season was McDonald and that was five years ago.

 

Highest scoring Englishmen in the Champiosn League.. Got to wonder i he'll ever get a shot at International football.

 

The arrogance of the english media will not allow GH play for england whilst hes a celt if thy dont play in the all glorious EPL they arent good enough it is sad but ultimately true!

Alan thompson for example playin absolutly brilliant dor us on the left wing england needed a ledt winger badly played a half with * team mates in a friendly * joke. FF best keeper in the CL 2 weeks in a row got moved from no 3 to no 2 for a friendly

Hope hoops gets a shot but ill not hold my breath

 

Hooper is the highest scoring Englishman in the CL this year right? And he still doesn;t get his call-up? They can't use the fact that he plays for Celtic as an excuse. In fact, that he scored those goals in the CL for Celtic rather than say Man Utd is testament to how good he is.