THOMAS Rogne is today relishing the impact of Gary Hooper's confidence boost from his incredible four-goal haul against Raith Rovers.

And he has backed the on-form Englishman to hit the target in the massive Champions League showdown with Spartak Moscow next week. Hooper netted four times in his team's emphatic 4-1 win over the Kirkcaldy side in the Scottish Communities Cup at Parkhead last night.

And Rogne reckons his team-mate will head to Russia on Tuesday with hopes high of scoring in the Group G showdown with Spartak. Rogne said: "It's no surprise when Gary does something like that because that's what he's capable of. He scored five goals in the final game of last season against a quality team like Hearts.

"He is a quality striker for us. It was nice for him to score a few goals for us last night.

"Scoring goals is always good for a striker. Hopefully he will continue doing that in the games we have coming up."

Norwegian centre-half Rogne was pleased to see Beram Kayal and Joe Ledley, who have both been sidelined since the Helsingborgs match last month, make their comebacks last night.

And he was also delighted that young winger Dylan McGeouch, who broke his jaw against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the United States, started his first game of the 2012/13 campaign.

With new signing Efe Ambrose also making his first start in Scotland and impressing in central midfield, the stopper believes Celtic are in great shape entering a crucial spell.

Rogne said: "We are getting players back now. As well as Beram, Joe and Dylan being involved, Paddy McCourt also came on for a spell in the second half. He has been out injured.

"Efe made one of the best debuts I have seen for Celtic. He looks composed on the ball and is very, very strong. He wins the ball and takes it forward.

"He reminds me a lot of Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure.

"These guys have come in and strengthened our squad. It is good to have them back and hopefully we can all stay fit. We will be able to cope with injuries and suspensions."

He added: "It was vital we approached the game normally even though we were playing a team from a lower league. I thought we did that well.

"They got a lucky break to get back on level terms after Gary had put us in front.

"We knew we would get the win if we kept going. We got a goal before half-time and after that it was all us.

"The crowd started to get a bit nervous. But we always felt in control.

"We knew we would get the win if we kept going and that is how it proved."