Derby manager Nigel Clough has revealed that a move for Gary Hooper would not have been right for the club.
Rams boss still searching for new forward
Derby manager Nigel Clough has revealed that a move for new Celtic striker Gary Hooper would not have been right for the club.
The 22-year-old frontman has completed a switch to the Hoops from Scunthorpe, despite interest from a number of other parties.
Clough revealed Derby were interested in bringing Hooper to Pride Park but says the deal was not suitable.
"There was genuine interest (from us) but that sort of deal would not be right for us at this stage," he told the
Derby Evening Telegraph.
"It is not just the fee but everything. I think he (Hooper) will score goals up there (in Scotland) but put it in perspective - he could have gone to Scotland in a year's time for nothing."
Having missed out on Hooper, Derby will continue their hunt for a new striker and Clough is considering taking someone on loan from the Premier League.
"We would like to bring in a striker. 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," he added.
It remains to be seen if Rob Hulse will remain at the club for the upcoming campaign, as the experienced forward has been linked with a move away.
Hulse, 30, is reportedly a target of newly-promoted Blackpool but Clough says no offer has been made as yet.
Asked if there is a chance of him leaving, Clough remarked: "There is always a danger if somebody puts an offer on the table but nobody has yet.
"We'd prefer to keep him but we also recognise he has a year left and he goes for nothing in 12 months."
