Southampton In New Bid For Hooper

Adkins, who failed with THREE bids for Celtic hitman Hooper in January, will move for Celtic’s top scorer once his side have sealed promotion to the Premiership.

Southampton lost 2-1 at Middlesbrough yesterday — but if they can defeat relegated Coventry at home next week they are back in the top flight.

Adkins, who signed Hooper for Scunthorpe in 2008, is determined to land the striker to boost his side’s Premiership assault.

Hooper, 24, delivered a blistering 50 goals from just 88 starts in two years at Glanford Park before a £2.4m switch to Celtic.

Since then Hooper’s become the new goal-scoring idol of the Hoops fans, netting 22 goals in his first season while he is currently on 23 for this campaign.

Adkins has closely monitored his progress with Celts manager Neil Lennon strongly promoting Hooper for an England call-up.

The Saints boss also knows his former pupil is happy in Scotland, with two years of his deal still left.

It’s believed Celts chief executive Peter Lawwell will hold talks with Hooper’s representative Simon Dent at the end of the season to discuss a possible extension.

Russian sides Zenit St Petersburg and CSKA Moscow have also been linked with Hooper in the past.