| Match Pictures | Matches: 2011 – 2012 | 2011-2012 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic win the league by 20pts…
… and finally get to lift the trophy! Not allowed in prior games as 1) away matches 2) Not allowed to parade at home match v Rangers 3) chose not to parade at home midweek game. - Our only trophy of season. No glamour presentation this time as it is done by employees of Clydesdale Bank.
- Hooper scores five, first Celtic player to score first half hat trick since Hartson.
- Hearts to play in Scottish Cup final the next weekend v Hibs.
- Rangers lose their American bidder! Liquidation striking. However reports of new takeover by Charles Green! So chants of Glasgows "Green & [Craig] Whyte".
- Thai Tims sing again at Celtic Park after mini tour to N Ireland. Off home soon.
- On award of the trophy, Neil Lennon took the trophy he sat the trophy just outside the GB's corner of the stadium and applauded them and thanked them in his speech.
- Celtic Graves Society Ceremony for Jermiah Reynolds.
- The Drifters entertained the fans before the game.
Review
(jungle g of KDS forum)
No denying it, the weather played some havoc with a day for celebrations. But after downing tools for St Johnstone and Dundee Utd games, I'd hoped we'd save one last performance for trophy day and the team didn't disappoint. Probably says it all about the way we took to the game, the workrate and invention of our midfield and attack throughout, that all five of Hooper's goals were close to being tap-ins, with the exception of him taking the scenic route round the keeper when I thought he was briefly in two minds about a wee chip. First Celtic in 40 odd years to bag five, a feat beyond even such luminaries as McAvennie, Larsson, and Brattbakk.
Thought Celtic's stage managing of the celebrations were a bit shampoo, to be honest, again taking into account the weather. Repeating those cheesy big screen introductions again when the team came out to collect the trophy only resulted in weird silences and the occasional laugh. In the miserable weather there was a kinda unspoken vibe that nobody wanted to admit out loud, ffs, just get on wi it. ; )
Up the road to watch a quite incredible Man City – QPR game on Sky+ and as their fans were blubbering away and fearing the worst I said to Daleybhoy they were basically going through what we would have suffered had George O'Boyle not headed over the bar of an open goal from three yards out in May 1998. But nice to see a change of scenery down there (though I was already chuckling at the prospect of Ferguson somehow, again, making his haters the fuwious ones).
Now to sit down and try and properly catch up on whatever the eff has gone down in the last 48 hours at the huns, the Sundays' skewering of the BK and Sir Dodgy's latest excuse-ridden diktat to his house magazine. Pissing rain and wind aside a fine end to a brilliant season which we can now begin to properly reflect on for our own part, whilst the hun fallout looks destined to take a few entertaining twists yet as they hurtle inexorably in the one direction regardless. And as a last wee bonus the hammering today might have knocked Jambo confidence just that bit enough to make their SC final vs the Hibees a bit more of a contest, but I can't see it, Hibs are shocking, and the mini huns have owned them for donkeys now anyway, they'll probably canter it.
Lenny's sitting the trophy at the GB corner then walking off and leaving them with it (so to speak) was a genius touch, brilliant stuff (even if someone did get nervous and have an official along to nab it pronto). Mibbe the couple of lads on here who were explaining they widnae join in when others sang his name, cos of the principle n'at, can finally put the pish from the Udinese game to bed. That was a huge gesture that I've seen few, if any, title-winning managers in leagues around the world do for a section of their support. A well-deserved moment of the GB's own in all the celebrations, one to tell the grandkids – the day the Celtic manager laid the championship trophy at our feet.
Teams
Celtic
01 Forster
03 Izaguirre
21 Mulgrew
22 Loovens
02 Matthews
08 Brown Booked (Kayal – 67' )
16 Ledley (McCourt – 69' )
67 Wanyama
09 Samaras
15 Commons (Stokes – 81' )
88 Hooper
Substitutes
24 Zaluska
11 Cha Du-Ri
23 Lustig
56 Twardzik
20 McCourt
33 Kayal
10 Stokes
Goals
- Hooper 5′, 8′, 39′, 66′, 87′
Heart of Midlothian
30 MacDonald
03 Grainger Booked
06 Webster (Barr – 83' )
17 McGowan
26 Zaliukas
12 Templeton
21 Taouil (Prychynenko – 25' )
31 Mrowiec
18 Novikovas (Holt – 46' )
23 Glen
27 Robinson
Substitutes
28 Ridgers
05 Barr
07 Santana
11 Driver
19 Skacel
35 Prychynenko
42 Holt
Ref: Muir
Att: 58,875
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
- Audio Report: Paradise Report
Pictures
Forum
MOTM
- Voting Thread
- Result Thread
- Winner –
- 2011-12 Winners
Stats
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian
Possession
41% 59% 92mins
Shots
12 3
On target
8 2
Corners
4 2
Fouls
15 15
Articles
Hooper nets five as Hoops finish season in style
Gary Cooper scores his hat-trick goal today. He went on to score two more.
13/05/2012 – 14:34:22
Celtic 5 Hearts 0
Breakingnews.ie
Gary Hooper helped himself to five goals as he and Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions Celtic ended their season in style with a thrashing of Hearts at Parkhead.
The former Scunthorpe striker grabbed a first-half hat-trick, one coming from the spot, as Neil Lennon’s men demolished the much-changed visitors.
Hooper struck twice more after the break, his fifth from a Georgios Samaras cross with three minutes remaining, taking his tally for to the season to 29 and joining Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd in players who have scored five goals in an SPL game.
The romp confirmed Celtic’s supremacy this season with Neil Lennon’s men finishing on 93 points, one more than last season when they finished second to Old Firm rivals Rangers.
Lennon made two changes as Victor Wanyama came in for right-back Mikael Lustig and striker Samaras took over from Anthony Stokes.
There was no surprise that Hearts made seven changes ahead of next week’s William Hill Scottish Cup final against Edinburgh rivals Hibernian, starting with a front three of Arvydas Novikovas, Gary Glen and David Templeton.
Lennon, though, had expected the Gorgie club to have one eye on Hampden and it certainly looked that way in the first-half as Hooper punished their lethargy.
Jambos keeper Jamie MacDonald had to make an early save from Hooper after the Celtic striker had been set up by Kris Commons but the two men were involved in the fifth minute when the home side opened the scoring.
After Templeton failed to control a cross from Hoops left-back Emilio Izaguirre, Commons’ drive was spilled by MacDonald and Hooper was first to react to knock the ball in to the net from close range.
Moments later, the Scotland midfielder drilled in a low free-kick which MacDonald saved comfortably but he had no chance in the eighth minute when Samaras slalomed through his defence and past skipper Marius Zaliukas to set up Hooper for an easy tap-in.
MacDonald then had to move swiftly down to his right-hand post to parry a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick from 25 yards at the expense of a corner which the wobbling visitors survived.
Hearts boss Paulo Sergio replaced Mehdi Taouil with Denis Prychynenko with only 25 minutes gone in order to stabilise to his midfield.
But it was all too easy for Celtic and in the 39th minute Hooper completed his hat-trick when he slammed the ball past MacDonald from the spot after Novikovas had tripped Parkhead midfielder Joe Ledley in the box.
Novikovas was replaced by Jason Holt for the start of the second-half but Celtic quickly reasserted themselves and within a couple of minutes wing-back Adam Matthews cut in from the right to send a low drive past MacDonald but into the side netting.
When Commons, back to his best form in recent weeks and influential again, flighted an inviting free-kick across the Jambos six-yard box in the 53rd minute it only needed a touch to make it four but there were no takers.
On the hour mark, as the Celtic fans rejoiced in the troubles of administration-hit Old Firm rivals Rangers, a mistake by Loovens allowed Templeton in at the edge of the Celtic boss but his curled shot, the visitors first real attempt at goal, slipped past the far post.
In the 66th minute Hooper grabbed number four when Zaliukas stretched but failed to cut out a Commons pass, allowing the rampant Parkhead striker to calmly round MacDonald before knocking the ball into the net.
Immediately after the goal Beram Kayal got a huge ovation when he came on for Celtic skipper Scott Brown, the Israel midfielder making his first appearance since December after recovering from an ankle injury. Paddy McCourt then replaced Ledley.
It was not the performance Hearts were looking for ahead of next week’s cup final and there was more pain to come.
Stokes replaced Commons with nine minutes remaining but by then the tempo had, unsurprisingly, gone out of the game.
However, in the 87th minute Hooper went nap when he converted a Samaras cross from a couple of yards out with the Jambos defence posted missing again and the title-winning celebrations began in earnest.
BBC
By Colin Moffat BBC Scotland
Gary Hooper ensured Celtic's championship party went with a bang as he netted five goals against Hearts.
Hooper tucked away two close-range finishes in the opening eight minutes and added a penalty when Joe Ledley was clipped by Arvydas Novikovas.
Celtic continued to dominate after the interval and Hooper rounded keeper Jamie MacDonald to score on 66 minutes.
With three minutes remaining, Hooper was in the right place again to complete the scoring.
It was the perfect way to prepare for the Scottish Premier League trophy presentation, with Celtic having wrapped up the title five weeks ago.
With one eye on next weekend's Scottish Cup final, Hearts made seven changes to their starting XI.
But manager Paulo Sergio selected his first-choice defence and will be worried at how easily they were torn apart by a rampant Celtic in the early stages.
A Kris Commons drive was spilled by Jamie MacDonald and Hooper was first to react to knock the ball into the net.
Soon after, Georgios Samaras weaved his way forward and sped past Hearts skipper Marius Zaliukas to set up Hooper for a second easy tap-in.
With Hearts wobbling, MacDonald had to look lively to parry a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick from 25 yards.
The early tempo dipped but Celtic retained in complete control, knocking the ball around with confidence.
And Hooper completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after 39 minutes when he drilled the ball down the middle from the spot after Novikovas had caught the heels of Ledley.
Early in the second half, Commons delivered a fantastic free-kick to the back post area, only to see Samaras inexplicably duck under the ball when it looked like a certain headed goal.
On the hour, a mistake by Glenn Loovens allowed David Templeton in for Hearts's only attempt on goal but the winger's curled shot slipped a couple of feet wide.
The fourth goal came following more good work from the impressive Commons.
A stretching Zaliukas could not cut out a raking pass from the Scotland midfielder, allowing Hooper to pick up the scraps, run around an exposed MacDonald.
Immediately after the goal Beram Kayal got a warm ovation when he came on for Celtic skipper Scott Brown, the Israel midfielder making his first appearance since December after recovering from an ankle injury.
Hooper looked determined not to allow anyone else a taste of glory when he got in the way of a Mulgrew shot.
And the English striker completed a memorable day when he knocked in his 29th goal of the season, converting a clever cross from Samaras
BBC
Celtic manager Neil Lennon hails five-star Gary Hooper
Manager Neil Lennon heaped praise on five-goal Gary Hooper after Celtic finally got their hands on the Scottish Premier League trophy.
Having secured the title early last month Celtic ended their campaign in style with a 5-0 rout of Hearts.
Hooper netted all of the goals, prompting Lennon to say: "It was a tremendous individual performance.
"He is a goalscorer, they are priceless but we want to keep him here and we will do our very best to do that."
Continue reading the main story
“We're really excited at the prospect of being in the Champions League again. That's where a club like this should be”
Peter Lawwell Celtic chief executive
Hooper converted a penalty to complete a hat-trick before the interval and knocked in two more goals in the second half to take his tally for the season to 29.
Celtic rebuffed approaches for the 24-year-old from Southampton in January and Lennon would not be surprised if the club have to fend off more offers for their top scorer.
"I think he is happy here but I'm sure there are people out there who will pay for his talent," added the manager.
"He is a special player. If you look at Nikica Jelavic [former Rangers striker] and what he has achieved since going to Everton there is no reason why Gary Hooper can't do that, in any division, whether that be in the Premier League, or in Spain or Italy.
"He scores big goals in big games, he has a good record against Rangers and he has scored in Europe.
"He is only 24 and has got the world at his feet so we would like to keep him."
Hooper, who last scored five before he turned professional, admitted that it had been a perfect day for him and gave no indication that he was considering a move away from Glasgow.
"Scoring five goals and picking the SPL trophy up – you can't ask for much more," he enthused.
"I thought we were outstanding from start to finish. Finishing top scorer was my aim after winning the league at Kilmarnock. I haven't scored five in a top-class game before but maybe I should have had six.
Celtic striker Gary Hooper
Hooper shows off his SPL golden boot, winners medal, match ball and man-of-the-match champagne
"I should have scored another in the first half or near the end but Paddy McCourt put too much on the pass.
"My next challenge is to score six goals in one game and score more goals next season than I did this season.
"And the Champions League is massive in anyone's career. I would love to play in it and score."
Lennon explained his reason for pointedly taking the SPL trophy over to the section of the ground which houses the Green Brigade, the vociferous section of the home support.
"I just wanted to say thank you to them," he said.
"Week-in, week-out, they have created a great atmosphere, they sing non-stop and add colour.
"Sometimes they are a little bit controversial but in the main they have behaved themselves impeccably and have changed the culture of the stadium."
Asked if there was any prospect of him not being in charge next season, the former Celtic skipper said: "I wouldn't have thought so.
"We have a board meeting on the 25th and I hope to speak to Peter Lawwell [chief executive] before that but there is nothing to resolve there, just a few things that need ironing out."
Lawwell gave Lennon a ringing endorsement during the post-match celebrations, telling BBC Scotland: "He's done a magnificent job.
"The intensity of being the Celtic manager, you really have to be in the job to appreciate it.
"He's coped with it remarkably well, despite all the other nonsense that's been going on around his life.
"He's a strong character, a very intelligent guy and he'll be one of the greats, I'm sure."
Lawwell also pledged to bolster the squad over the summer, adding: "With every transfer window we hope to come out stronger than when we went in.
"We're really excited at the prospect of being in the Champions League again. That's where a club like this should be."
Live Text Commentary
90:00 +1:08 Full time
Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00 +0:53
Scott Robinson fouled by Emilio Izaguirre, the ref awards a free kick.
88:24
Unfair challenge on Patrick McCourt by Gary Glen results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
88:13
Ryan McGowan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Charlie Mulgrew. Charlie Mulgrew takes the direct free kick.
86:52
Assist on the goal came from Georgios Samaras.
86:52 Goal scored
Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 5 – 0 Hearts Gary Hooper scores a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 5-0 Hearts.
86:30
The ball is delivered by Gary Glen, save by Fraser Forster.
86:11
Victor Wanyama gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Templeton. Indirect free kick taken by David Templeton.
85:25
Free kick awarded for a foul by David Templeton on Adam Matthews. Patrick McCourt takes the free kick.
82:55 Substitution
Substitution (Hearts) makes a substitution, with Darren Barr coming on for Andy Webster.
82:23
A cross is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre. Charlie Mulgrew crosses the ball, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Georgios Samaras misses to the left of the goal.
81:25
Charlie Mulgrew fouled by Ryan McGowan, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew restarts play with the free kick.
80:58 Substitution
Substitution Anthony Stokes joins the action as a substitute, replacing Kris Commons.
80:18
Charlie Mulgrew sends in a cross, save made by Jamie MacDonald.
78:11
Short corner taken by Gary Hooper.
75:57
Denis Prychynenko takes a shot. Georgios Samaras gets a block in.
75:33
Corner taken by Daniel Grainger from the left by-line, clearance by Georgios Samaras.
75:28
The ball is delivered by Scott Robinson, clearance by Beram Kayal.
74:21
Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot.
73:43
Free kick awarded for a foul by Andy Webster on Georgios Samaras. Free kick crossed left-footed by Kris Commons, Adrian Mrowiec manages to make a clearance.
72:52
Gary Glen is caught offside. Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.
71:37
Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Daniel Grainger, Georgios Samaras manages to make a clearance.
71:23
Jason Holt takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Charlie Mulgrew gets a block in.
70:47
The ball is sent over by Adam Matthews.
68:45 Substitution
Substitution Joe Ledley leaves the field to be replaced by Patrick McCourt.
68:00
Beram Kayal concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Glen. Daniel Grainger takes the free kick.
66:25 Substitution
Substitution Beram Kayal comes on in place of Scott Brown.
65:40
Kris Commons provided the assist for the goal.
65:40 Goal scored
Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 4 – 0 Hearts Gary Hooper finds the net with a goal from close range low into the middle of the goal. Celtic 4-0 Hearts.
61:12
The official flags Jason Holt offside. Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.
60:45
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adrian Mrowiec by Georgios Samaras. Andy Webster takes the free kick.
59:36
Foul by Georgios Samaras on Andy Webster, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by Andy Webster.
59:23
David Templeton has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.
56:30
Effort on goal by Kris Commons from just inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
54:06
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Victor Wanyama by Daniel Grainger. Kris Commons takes the direct free kick.
51:57
Kris Commons fouled by Adrian Mrowiec, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Kris Commons.
49:29
Georgios Samaras concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Glen. Adrian Mrowiec takes the free kick.
48:43
Adam Matthews crosses the ball, save made by Jamie MacDonald.
48:28
Free kick awarded for a foul by Adrian Mrowiec on Georgios Samaras. Georgios Samaras restarts play with the free kick.
48:14
The assistant referee flags for offside against David Templeton. Indirect free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.
47:39
Adam Matthews produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the goal.
45:15
Ryan McGowan fouled by Emilio Izaguirre, the ref awards a free kick. Scott Robinson takes the indirect free kick.
45:01
The referee gets the second half underway.
45:01 Substitution
Substitution Jason Holt joins the action as a substitute, replacing Arvydas Novikovas.
45:00 +1:02 Half time
Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.
45:00 +0:20
The ball is delivered by Georgios Samaras, save made by Jamie MacDonald.
43:28
Adam Matthews delivers the ball, clearance made by Ryan McGowan.
41:13
Georgios Samaras concedes a free kick for a foul on Daniel Grainger. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
40:28
Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan McGowan on Scott Brown. Indirect free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
40:14 Booking
Booking Daniel Grainger goes into the referee's book.
39:52 Booking
Booking Scott Brown is booked.
38:56
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Robinson by Glenn Loovens. Free kick taken by Scott Robinson.
38:18
Joe Ledley provided the assist for the goal.
38:18 Goal scored
Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 3 – 0 Hearts Gary Hooper scores a power penalty. Celtic 3-0 Hearts.
37:24
Unfair challenge on Joe Ledley by Arvydas Novikovas results in a Penalty.
36:51
Corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
36:43
Emilio Izaguirre sends in a cross, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
35:14
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Charlie Mulgrew by Arvydas Novikovas. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
34:20
Georgios Samaras gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marius Zaliukas. Marius Zaliukas takes the free kick.
33:36
Emilio Izaguirre is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
32:44
Charlie Mulgrew delivers the ball, save made by Jamie MacDonald.
31:43
Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot. Ryan McGowan gets a block in.
31:17
Adam Matthews delivers the ball, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.
29:44
Georgios Samaras is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Daniel Grainger.
28:16
Ryan McGowan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kris Commons. Free kick taken by Kris Commons.
27:50
Kris Commons gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan McGowan. Ryan McGowan takes the free kick.
25:58
The assistant referee signals for offside against Kris Commons. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
24:05
Andy Webster takes the free kick.
24:05 Substitution
Substitution Denis Prychynenko comes on in place of Mehdi Taouil.
24:05
Arvydas Novikovas fouled by Charlie Mulgrew, the ref awards a free kick.
23:17
Charlie Mulgrew sends in a cross, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.
22:00
The ball is sent over by Emilio Izaguirre. Gary Hooper is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
21:19
Foul by Victor Wanyama on Adrian Mrowiec, free kick awarded. Marius Zaliukas takes the indirect free kick.
19:18
Joe Ledley crosses the ball.
18:52
Corner taken by Kris Commons, Andy Webster manages to make a clearance.
17:47
Free kick awarded for a foul by Mehdi Taouil on Victor Wanyama. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Kris Commons from right wing, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance.
15:34
Scott Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Mehdi Taouil. Daniel Grainger restarts play with the free kick.
13:38
The referee blows for offside against Kris Commons. Andy Webster takes the indirect free kick.
12:15
Short corner taken by Kris Commons from the left by-line.
10:54
Andy Webster challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew has an effort direct from the free kick, Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
9:51
Mehdi Taouil fouled by Scott Brown, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Scott Robinson.
7:49
The assist for the goal came from Georgios Samaras.
7:49 Goal scored
Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 2 – 0 Hearts Gary Hooper scores a goal from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 2-0 Hearts.
6:30
Free kick awarded for a foul by Mehdi Taouil on Gary Hooper. Kris Commons produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, Jamie MacDonald makes a save.
4:18
Assist by Kris Commons.
4:18 Goal scored
Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 1 – 0 Hearts Gary Hooper gets on the score sheet with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Hearts.
4:11
Emilio Izaguirre delivers the ball.
4:07
Kris Commons takes a shot. Save made by Jamie MacDonald.
3:36
Gary Hooper is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
0:00
The game begins.
Official Site
Manager's delight after perfect day in Paradise
By: Mark Henderson on 13 May, 2012 16:44
IT was the perfect end to a superb season. Crowned SPL champions over a month ago, Celtic finally got their hands on the trophy today after hammering Hearts 5-0 in front of a packed Paradise.
All five goals came from the outstanding Gary Hooper who ended the campaign on 29 goals, and Celtic Park was rocking as the title celebrations got underway.
Neil Lennon couldn’t have wished for events to unfold in a better way, and after lifting the trophy to huge cheers on the pitch, he felt able to savour the success of the past 12 months. He was a proud man.
"We can reflect on what we have achieved now," he said. "It´s a fantastic feeling. I´m delighted for the players and supporters and I was delighted with the performance today. It was a fitting way to end the season. The supporters were in good voice. It was a great day for the club.
"I wanted them to finish the season on a high and wanted them to play entertaining football and win the game handsomely and I got all that today.
"We have been pretty much flawless since October in the league. We had a couple of defeats along the way but the quality and intensity in the play for a good four or five months was excellent. We have broken the clean sheet record.
"I think we just fell short today of one goal of what we scored last year. We have the best disciplinary record in the country and we have won the league by 20 points so that ticks all the boxes for me."
Hooper struck a hat-trick in the first half with some typical predatory finishes before bagging a brace after the break. It was a wonderful display by the Englishman.
"It was a tremendous individual performance and a great achievement," said the manager. "I think that took him to 24 league goals. He´s a special player and I´m delighted that he´s fulfilling all the talent we think he has.
"He´s happy here. Obviously there will be people out there who would pay for his talent and his goals. He´s a goalscorer. They are priceless in the game. But we want to keep him here and will do our very best to do that."
After being presented with the trophy, the Hoops boss went over the corner of the stadium occupied by the Green Brigade and left it sitting there on the pitch, dedicating the title triumph to supporters.
"I just wanted to say thank you to them because week-in, week-out, they have created a great atmosphere," he explained. "They sing non-stop, they add colour. Sometimes they are a little bit controversial but in the main they have behaved themselves impeccably.
"They have changed the culture of the stadium. It´s a fun place to come for supporters and the atmosphere over the last two years in some of the big games has been fantastic and they have been the catalyst for that.
"The noise, the singing, the pride – it's all there now. I´m delighted with that. It was missing for a few years and I think more than anything, the fans have their pride back."
Beram Kayal made his return to action following five months on the sidelines with an ankle injury as a second-half substitute. The manager was keen for him to receive recognition for his contribution over the campaign. It had been a colossal collective effort.
"I wanted to give the players who have made big contributions the opportunity to play today, and Beram has been a huge player for us and, bar injury, he would have played a lot more for us this season," he said.
"I was delighted with the performance, the professionalism and the quality of the players out there today and it augers well for the future.
"We want to come back and defend the title as best we can next year but we want to play at the big table," he added. "One of our first competitive game will probably be one of the Champions League qualifiers so we have a lot of hard work in front of us to get ready for that."
Five-star Hooper gets the party going at Paradise
By: Laura Brannan on 13 May, 2012 14:19
May 13, 2012
Scottish Premier League
Celtic Park
CELTIC 5
(Hooper 5, 8, 38, 66, 88)
HEARTS 0
IT was the Gary Hooper show at Celtic Park as the Champions closed the 2011/12 season with an emphatic 5-0 win against Hearts. The English striker hit all five goals, including a first-half penalty, to seal the three points.
Celtic enjoyed complete dominance over the Edinburgh side and as they brought their remarkable campaign to an end, they were presented with the much-deserved SPL trophy, which was draped in green and white ribbons once again.
Scott Brown lifted the silverware in front of a packed Celtic Park as the Hoops finished the season on 93 points, which beat last year´s tally.
And it didn’t take long for the party to get started – just five minutes in fact. Kris Commons, who was looking sharp, took the initial shot, but goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald blocked it. He couldn’t control it, though, and Hooper was on hand to tap it home from close-range, sparking the first of many celebrations.
Just three minutes had passed before the striker gave the supporters even more reasons to sing. This time it was Georgios Samaras who did the hard work, beating Marius Zaliukas to slide the ball in for Hooper, who duly tapped it into the open net.
With Celtic two goals ahead with less than 10 minutes on the clock, Celtic Park was already in jubilant spirits and the team were looking comfortable. The visitors barely mounted an attack and were chasing shadows every time Celtic were in possession.
Charlie Mulgrew came close to adding to the tally when he curled a free-kick over the wall, and Samaras attempted to slide home at the far post, but couldn´t make contact with the ball in time.
Seven minutes before half-time though, Joe Ledley was fouled inside the box and referee Alan Muir awarded Celtic with a penalty. Looking for his hat-trick, Hooper stepped up, and slotted it straight down the middle for his third of the afternoon.
Celtic started the second half the same way they finished the first, looking just as comfortable in possession. Commons swung in a free-kick on 54 minutes but Samaras couldn’t head home at the far post for the Hoops´ fourth.
It took an hour for Hearts to have their first attempt on goal, but as David Templeton tried to curl the ball around Fraser Forster, who had a very quiet afternoon, it went well wide of the target.
It proved to be a rare attack outside of Hearts´ half, and Celtic added to their tally on 66 minutes. Again, it was Hooper who did the damage, breaking away from the Hearts backline and rounding MacDonald, slotting home his, and Celtic´s fourth of the afternoon.
There was a standing ovation for Beram Kayal who replaced Brown a minute later. It was Kayal´s first appearance since being injured against Rangers in December and the supporters showed their delight at his return to fitness.
Celtic continued to look hungry in front of goal, particularly Samaras, though he was the provider for Celtic´s last goal, two minutes from full-time. He slid the ball in for Hooper, and the striker rounded off his tally for the afternoon, tapping in for his, and Celtic´s fifth strike against the Edinburgh side.
The full-time whistle was met by rapturous applause from the packed Celtic Park support and the title party celebrations got underway.
CELTIC (4-4-2): Forster; Wanyama, Loovens, Mulgrew; Matthews, Brown (Kayal 67), Ledley (McCourt 69), Commons (Stokes 81), Izaguirre; Samaras, Hooper.
Subs not used: Zaluska, Cha, Lustig, F. Twardzik
HEARTS (4-4-2): MacDonald, McGowan, Webster (Barr 83), Zaliukas, Grainger; Robinson, Mrowiec, Taouil (Prychynenko 25), Templeton; Novikovas (Holt 46), Glen
Subs not used: Ridgers, Driver, Skacel, Santana