Gary Hooper - The frontrunner Celtic have been missing since the days of Henrik Larss

The former League One star is looking like the real deal in his first year in Scotland.

Gary Hooper's brace against fierce rivals Rangers in the 3-0 Old Firm victory endeared the clinical striker further to the Celtic faithful, who already hold their summer signing in high regard.

His two goals, both showcasing speed and composure, bumped the prolific Englishman's goal-scoring tally to 15 in 22 matches in all competitions this term.

So is Hooper potentially the most dangerous frontman Celtic Park has seen since legendary Swedish striker Henrik Larsson lit up the Scottish top flight? the start is reassuring.

The Loughton-born forward was playing League One football two seasons ago in a Scunthorpe United shirt. His 24 goals in 47 appearances allowed his side to secure 6th place in the division and, eventually, promotion.

Hooper’s transition to the second best league in England was seamless, and he again showed a real knack for goals during a spectacular 2009/10 season, scoring 19 goals in 35 showings.

That's two more than what Liverpool's £35m signing Andy Carroll managed for Newcastle United in the same season in the English second tier - in four less games.

Celtic’s transfer offer of £2.5m was enough to lure the striker to Scotland, where he is currently in his first season. But, as usual, you would never guess it.

He may not be the man to dazzle an opposition marker with trickery and artistic dribbling skills, but the 23-year-old fits one of the most in-demand roles in the modern game.

Hooper epitomises the term Fox-in-the-Box. A merciless goal poacher always on hand to latch onto a loose ball yards away from goal or neatly placed to break an offside trap and poke the ball in from a low cross.

Fans of the Glasgow giants have been getting used to seeing Hooper netting from point-blank range, and it will likely be a similar tale for the rest of the campaign.

Gary Hooper - The frontrunner Celtic have been missing since - IMScouting

 

The inevitable comparison with Larsson.

 

Let him be his own man.

 

Larsson was more than a football player.

Let young hooper be his own man... So far the biggest compliment I can give him is he's my fav player since Stan petrov!

 

A proper penalty box striker! His first touch on Sunday was 1st class.

 

The guy is class, simple as that. I have very high hopes for him.

 

I have one simple rule when it comes to Celtic. Don't compare anyone to Henrik Larsson; they inevitably don't live up to it.

 

His name is gary Hooper so let him become his own legend, he certainly has all the attributes to be a top striker, we shall see.

 

Don't think there trying to compare hoops with larsson football wise that would be crazy but the impact he is making is the same.
The term "fox in the box" sums hooper up perfectly.

hail hail

 

Knew it was coming,let's just see what happens.

 

Has enough ability to become a legend in his own right

 

Don't really agree with their description of him

 

Without putting too much pressure on him.Gary bhoy stay for a few years and I have no doubt you will be held in the same legend status as larsson and co.yes the opposition might not be as good but neither are we

 

If he continues the way he is he could become a great here some day..
Wouldnt compare him to the King of Kings so early though

 

He's great but he's no Larsson

 

Said it to my step dad from day one, this guy will score a lot of goals up here.

Let him make his own name

 

Here is a thought...Henrik comes back to Celtic as a coach or as a manager few years down the line.

He wud then, in effect, be coaching Hooper personally day in day out....now thats a thought!!!:icon_mrgreen:

 

i just hope he's kept fit for the rest of the season, if so he's another 10 goals in him to end the season on about 25 goals i'd be delighted.

great goal scorer, seems level headed and modest/shy.