Carvalhal linked with Celtic, surely he will sign striker on a free

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Carlos Carvalhal has reportedly contacted Celtic chiefs to inform them that he is interested in taking on the permanent managerial role this summer, as pressure grows on interim boss Neil Lennon.

Lennon has overseen Celtic’s eighth consecutive Scottish Premiership win, but a decrease in goal threat and a 2-0 defeat to Old Firm rivals Rangers on Sunday has put doubt over whether he will get the job permanently.

With the permanent role still up in the air, former Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday manager Carvalhal is said to have contacted Celtic over a permanent move to Parkhead, according to the Scottish Sun.

This comes a few days after Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Hooper was linked with a return to the Scottish champions, after announcing that he will be leaving the Championship side at the end of his contract.

Hooper, 31, was signed by 53-year-old Carvalhal in 2016 from Norwich City, and has since gone on to score 31 goals in 89 league and cup appearances with Wednesday. But this season, he has only managed six appearances.

The Sun claim Celtic are rivalling Fulham and Aston Villa for Hooper, who enjoyed an excellent spell at Celtic after Lennon signed him from Scunthorpe United in 2010. He scored 63 goals in 90 starts for the Hoops.

He impressed during his time under Carvalhal and if the Portuguese manager takes over at Parkhead, a big summer shake-up is required to give Celtic the best chance of turning eight league title in a row into 10.

Signing Hooper could be a part of that with the club keen on luring him north of the border for a second time, and Celtic luring Carvalhal in as manager may tempt Hooper into making the leap for a second time.