Former Scunthorpe United chairman Steve Wharton is convinced Celtic striker Gary Hooper can make it in the Premier League.

Wharton oversaw Hooper's sale to Celtic and is aware of reports linking him with Hull City and Norwich City.

He told the Scottish Sun: "If he returns to England and does well I'm sure he'll be considered for an England place by Roy Hodgson.

"Remember, Gary is still only 25 years old and he will surely get better and better, a bit like Kevin Phillips has after a slow start to his career.

"Gary has worked his way up from the bottom and wherever he has gone he has done extremely well.

"Until he gets to a level where he doesn't perform then we've got to believe he can do well at the very highest level."