Celtic striker Gary Hooper has thanked his new club for the influence in him receiving his first England call-up.

The 23-year old has been a revelation for the Hoops since joining from English Championship club Scunthorpe United in July last year, scoring 15 goals in 23 appearances.

He has managed to qualify for Stuart Pearce's U21 team because he was 21 when the side began their European Championship qualification and was delighted with the news as he made it clear he wants to represent his country of birth after rumours circulated that he was angling for a Scotland call.

"It's an honour to be called up for your country at any level and this is certainly a special moment in my career," he said.

"I am delighted Stuart Pearce has given me this opportunity and I will do my best to impress when I join up with the squad.

"I also have to thank my Celtic team-mates and also the management for helping me to achieve this kind of recognition."

Pearce said that Hooper was certainly a contender for his final Euro squad for the tournament which occurs in Denmark from June 11 to 25 this year.

"There are one or two fresh faces in there, such as Gary Hooper. But, in the main, the majority of the players have been involved in the qualifying process," said Pearce.

"Now is the time for all of the players to impress in the minds of the coaching staff that they want to be the ones stepping on to the plane this summer.

"At the end of this meetup, I need to be able to make final decisions about my squad."

England's U21 squad takes on Denmark in Viborg before meeting Iceland in friendlies later this month.