CELTIC captain Scott Brown has added his support to manager Neil Lennon's calls for Gary Hooper to stick around for another crack at the Champions League.

The Hoops striker is now in the final year of his contract and the subject of increasing interest from clubs in England, with Norwich coming back in to vie with Hull and Reading for man who hit 31 goals last season.

Celtic want Hooper to accept a new deal, and risk writing off around £6million if he doesn't sign then goes for free next summer, a scenario Lennon admits is "not ideal".

But, with Victor Wanyama expected to make his move south within the next week, Brown doesn't want to see the side which won the Double and reached the last 16 last term lose any more key personnel.

Brown said: "What Gary's done for us in the last two or three seasons has been incredible.

"I hope he stays. But, at the end of the day, it is up to him and the club.

"After what we did last season, someone is always going to come in and have a go at buying one or two of our players because they did so well.

"They are also still young and can improve even more.

"It would be great if we could hold onto everyone."

Losing £12million-rated Wanyama now seems to be accepted by everyone at Parkhead, and Brown will be sorry to see his midfield partner go.

He said: "He would be a huge loss. Victor has been unbelievable all season.

"But that's up to the board, Victor and his agent and whatever they agree."

Brown is at least relieved the speculation Lennon may also be head-hunted has come to nothing, and is delighted the manager is already actively strengthening the squad with the signings of Amido Balde and Virgil van Dijk.

"I'm not too sure if the gaffer has finished buying," said Brown.

"The two new lads seem lively enough, and it's good to have a bit more height in the squad."

Brown will get the chance to get to know them when they go to the training camp in Germany on Monday.

The skipper reports he is ready to roll after a stop-start campaign last year when hip and groin problems sidelined him for months before a surprise return for the cup final.

He admitted: "I maybe came back too early as I was keen to play in the final with Victor and Beram Kayal both suspended.

"I pushed myself a bit too much. But I was glad to be able to play, even for 75 minutes.

"I'm feeling rested after my break and my groin problems seem to have gone.

"The rest of the lads came back to training a week earlier than me, so I'm playing catch-up.

"But I would love to be part of the games in Germany."