Rams tried to pinch new Hoops recruit

Derby boss Nigel Clough was in the running to sign Gary Hooper from Scunthorpe, but conceded the deal was not right for the club.

The 22-year-old completed his move to Celtic on Tuesday morning for a fee thought to be in excess of £2million. "There was genuine interest (from us) but that sort of deal would not be right for us at this stage," Clough told the Derby Telegraph.

"It is not just the fee but everything. I think he (Hooper) will score goals up there (in Scotland) but to put it in perspective - he could have gone to Scotland in a year's time for nothing."

Clough confirmed that negotiations to add a new striker to his squad are ongoing, with a loan deal for a Premier League player a strong possibility.

"We would like to bring in a striker," he added. "A loan deal from a Premier League club would possibly present the best value for us at the moment and we are talking to a couple of clubs."

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