Hull City: Steve Bruce doubtful of second Gary Hooper bid

Hull City boss Steve Bruce has said he does not envisage the club making a renewed attempt to sign Celtic striker Gary Hooper.

The Tigers were unsuccessful with a bid for the 25-year-old, believed to be in the region of £4.5m, in June.

Burnley striker Charlie Austin had looked set to sign for the club before a failed medical put paid to the move.

"We had a bid for him rejected and I can't see there being any change in that," Bruce told BBC Radio Humberside.

"We've got other irons in the fire and we hope that we can get one or two strikers in before the start of the season.

"It's obvious that we struggled to score goals last season so that has got to be the aim for us. We've still got six weeks before the season starts and we're actively looking."

Bruce guided the Tigers to automatic promotion to the Premier League last season.

Despite finishing second in the Championship, Hull managed just 61 goals in 46 games - five less than relegated Peterborough.

The former Birmingham, Wigan and Sunderland boss admitted that the collapse of the deal for Austin, who scored 28 goals in 2012-13, was a big blow.

He said: "Unfortunately he's got a bit of a problem with his knee and with the amount of money involved it was a risk we couldn't take.

"It's a huge setback for us and for him because he was coming up here on Tuesday to become a Premier League player.

"It's a depressing situation for everyone involved but most of all our thoughts are with him. I hope he still has the career I believe he will have."

Hull start their season with a trip to Chelsea on Sunday, 18 August.