Gary Hooper – Celtic in good hands with Martin O’Neill in charge
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Gary Hooper believes that Celtic are in good hands with Martin O’Neill as manager…
Gary Hooper of Celtic celebrates after scoring during the Scottish Premier League match between Hearts and Celtic at Tynecastle Park on February 8, 2012. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
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Former Celtic striker Gary Hooper has backed Martin O’Neill to turn things around at the hoops, due to the Celtic manager’s extensive experience in the game.
Celtic are in a rut at the moment after suffering three consecutive defeats, with two of those losses coming against bitter rivals the Rangers, with the other being a home loss to Ferencvaros in the Europa League which has turned up the pressure on everyone involved at the club.
Gary Hooper (R) of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the Scottish Cup Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Hampden Stadium on May 26, 2013. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The players and the coaching staff will be feeling it but the buck ultimately stops with the manager, something that Martin O’Neill is well aware of.
The iconic Celtic manager has been heavily criticised in recent weeks, so much so that some have been questioning his position as Celtic manager, with the veteran boss even been said to have been mulling over his future during this extended international break.
Gary Hooper of Celtic scores his second goal and his team’s third goal past Antonio Reguero of Inverness Caledonian Thistle the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Celtic Park on April 21, 2013. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
But Englishman Hooper who scored 82 goals in 138 appearances for the club, believes Celtic are in good hands with the veteran Irishman in charge, and states that a good break from the pressures will be of great benefit to the side.
Asked if he believes if Martin can turn things around, former Celtic forward Hooper said: “Yes, of course. He’s been there, he’s done it.” Speaking to BBC Sport, he added: “The international break has probably come at the right time after losing both [Glasgow Derby] games.
“It’s a good reset for the team and everyone at the club and they can start again after the international break.”
Gary Hooper of Celtic reacts during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Celtic and Juventus at Celtic Park on February 12, 2013. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Hooper was speaking at the Tennent’s Sixes competition that was held at the Braehead Arena at the weekend.
The 38 year old turned back time to pull the hoops on along with former Celts Barry John Corr, Charlie Mulgrew, Glenn Loovens, Efe Ambrose, Jonny Hayes, Aiden McGeady, Gary Hooper, Joe Ledley, and Derek Riordan as the hoops triumphed, coming back from two goals down twice to win the final against the Rangers and guess who scored the winner?
Celtic striker Gary Hooper celebrates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Celtic FC and FC Spartak Moscow at Celtic Park on December 5, 2012. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Yes, Gary Hooper who had an impressive tournament, showing that he still possessed that deadliness in front of goal. And it was the Englishman’s strike that scored Celtic fifth goal in the final that turned out to be the winner.
Celtic’s 5-4 win was a real blow to the much younger Ibrox side, filled with recently retired pros much younger than the other teams at the return of the iconic six a side tournament. And apparently their players were each on £2k bonus money to lift the trophy.
Celtic celebrations at Tennent’s Sixes
Having beaten Celtic by six goals in the group stages they were full of confidence but in the end Celtic ended up winning 5-4 on Sunday night to lift the Tennent’s Sixes for the second time in Celtic’s unbroken history.
For the Rangers the wait for their first ever Tennent’s Sixes trophy goes on…
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