Lennon: Celtic New Boy Rejected Blackpool

After capturing Scunthorpe United striker Gary Hooper, Celtic manager Neil Lennon has hinted that his new man may have rejected Blackpool.

The Bhoys are believed to have paid close to £2.5m for Hooper, who signed for the Iron in 2008 for just £175,000.

Whether Ian Holloway was offered the funds to really push through a firm bid is debatable, with the transfer fee being fairly steep for a Championship striker.

However, Lennon - who obviously knew who Celtic were fighting against for the signature - said: 'It was interesting because, when you get men of the calibre of Gordon Strachan after him, and there were a few other clubs showing interest including West Ham and Blackpool, who can offer Premiership football, to get him in the end is very, very satisfying.

'That's because we have done a lot of work on this one.We've had an eye on him for a while. He's young, but I think he is ready. I like the way he plays the game. He is a hungry boy, and the hungrier we have, the better.'

In other news, it's been reported by Sky Sports that the Seasiders have taken Valencia midfielder Sunny on trial.

Rumours are circulating that 'Pool have taken further foreigners on trial, but nothing is concrete as of yet.

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