Gary Hooper: QPR close in on signing Celtic striker

Championship side QPR are closing in on the signing of Celtic's 25-year-old striker Gary Hooper.

The R's have submitted an offer of around £5m for the player and are close to finalising personal terms.

Celtic are travelling to Belfast for Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against Cliftonville without Hooper.

Bhoys assistant manager Johan Mjallby said Hooper was suffering from a groin strain but also admitted they had received an improved offer from QPR.

The Harlow-born player, who has scored 82 goals since moving to Glasgow in 2010, has one year remaining on his contract.

and Norwich have both had bids for the forward rejected this year.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon conceded it would be "difficult" to convince the striker to sign a new deal.

Speaking last week, Lennon said: "He has not featured much in pre-season and the games start in earnest for us on Wednesday night [against Cliftonville in the Champions League qualifiers].

"So he'd have a bit of catching up to do and I don't know where his mind is at the minute.

"Has he played his last game for Celtic? Never say never but it's looking more and more that way."

The former Southend and Scunthorpe forward has been Celtic's top scorer in each of the last three seasons.

During that time, he has helped the club win two Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish Cups and, in 2012-13, reach the last 16 of the Champions League.