Hooper, 22, completed a move to the Scottish Premier League side on Tuesday in a move believed to be worth £2.4million.
There was confirmed interest from Championship side Middlesbrough as well as the Premier League clubs West Ham United and Blackpool.
Despite that, Clough claimed again on Tuesday that his side - who the Iron did the double over last season - had been in the running for his signature.
He first stated before the end of last season that the Rams wanted to sign Hooper but not at a high transfer fee - effectively ruling his side out of the running for a player Scunthorpe did not need, or want, to sell and who was wanted by Premier League sides.
"There was genuine interest [from us] but that sort of deal would not be right for us at this stage," Clough told the Derby Telegraph.
"It is not just the fee but everything. I think he will score goals up there, but put it in perspective - he could have gone to Scotland in a year's time for nothing."