OPINION
Celtic must make an approach to re-sign Gary Hooper after it was reported that the Sheffield Wednesday forward’s contract is expiring at the end of the season.
According to a new report by Sky Sports on Monday, MLS sides DC United and Vancouver Whitecaps are interested in singing the 30-year-old ex-Hoops strikers this month, and with him being available on a free transfer this year, Brendan Rodgers should force his way to the front of the queue for the Englishman’s signature.
Celtic are in desperate need of new strikers at the moment.
Odsonne Edoaurd is the club’s only available striker in the senior squad due to Leigh Griffiths’ absence of leave, so reinforcements in this area should be a top priority for Rodgers.
It does appear as though the Celtic boss is making progress in this area with Sky Sports reporting that Paris Saint-Germain’s Timothy Weah is close to joining the Scottish giants on loan.
While that is a good short-term fix, the Bhoys also need to make plans for next season if Weah returns to Paris.
Hooper will be available for free in the summer, so Celtic should make an approach to sign their former player on a pre-contract arrangement.
He has not played for Sheffield Wednesday this term due to injury issues, but hopefully by the time his contract at Hillsborough expires, he will be back to fitness and ready to pick up where he left off in the Scottish top-flight.
During his days in Glasgow, Hooper was a goalscoring machine.
The 30-year-old scored 82 goals in 138 appearances across all competitions for the Glaswegians between 2010 and 2013, while also winning two league titles and a pair of Scottish Cup winner’s medals.
That means that next season, Rodgers could have himself a strike force of Edouard, Griffiths and Hooper. Now that would be something to strike fear into the hearts of every single club in Scotland.