MX23RW : Friday, November 22 21:09:29| >> :120:12242:12242:

Gary Hooper: 'Qualification a dream come true'

Hooper: 'Qualification a dream come true'
© PA Photos
Celtic striker Gary Hooper says that progression from the Champions League group phase is "a dream come true".

Celtic's Gary Hooper has declared that progression to the last 16 of the Champions League is "a dream come true".

The striker scored the first goal of the evening as the Hoops qualified from the group stage with a 2-1 victory over Spartak Moscow.

He told Sky Sports News: "It means a lot - it's a dream come true.

"We knew we had to win and the performance was great, we defended better in the second half and it was a great penalty from Kris [Commons].

"We're never written off. Home games is our game and it showed tonight - and the away game against Spartak, as well, we played really well and won the game [3-2]. So keep watching and we'll keep winning."

Hooper went on to say that Celtic have a fighting chance of going even further in the competition thanks to their formidable home record.

"At home, we can beat anyone, I think - we showed that against Barca and then tonight – but we've got to take it game by game and wait for it," he added.

Group G's final standings saw Barcelona and Celtic progress to the next phase, with third-placed Benfica forced to settle for a place in the Europa League.

ID:58079: cacheID:58079:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2218:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic's Gary Hooper celebrates opening the scoring against Spartak on December 5, 2012
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Celtic, Spartak level
>
Read more about Gary Hooper Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Steelers
19-24
Browns
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1110103132831
2Aberdeen11101024101431
3RangersRangers11713168822
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd125431813519
5Motherwell116141514119
6St Mirren134361722-515
7Dundee123361824-612
8Kilmarnock123361525-1012
9Ross County132651021-1112
10St Johnstone133191627-1110
11Hearts132381420-69
12Hibernian121561118-78


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!