Simple goals: Stokes just wants to start hitting the net for Celtic. Pic: © SNS Group
New Celtic signing Anthony Stokes has said the only way he can keep a first team place at Celtic is by scoring regularly. The striker revealed Neil Lennon has delivered one simple instruction that he is intent on following.
Stokes moved from Hibernian on transfer deadline day in a deal that could rise to £1.2 million. The international break means he will have to wait until Saturday to make his debut against Hearts.
Stokes said he was aware that the competition for a first team place meant he would have to perform week in, week out. The forward was determined to make the most of the opportunity to show what he could do.
"The gaffer just wants goals," Stokes told Celtic's official website.
"He just said to me to do what I did at Hibs, stay in the box and get on the end of things, and it's up to me to put him in a position where I have to play.
"I know that at a club like Celtic there's competition all over the pitch. It's down to me to do well in training and force the gaffer into a decision."
Following disappointment in Europe, Stokes and his new team-mates will be concentrating on domestic honours this season, with capturing the SPL title the main priority. The 22-year old said that Celtic had started brilliantly without him.
"I've been watching Celtic this season and obviously it has been very disappointing in Europe but three wins so far and three clean sheets in the league, it couldn't really have gone much better," he added.
"The international break has been good in a way because it gave me another match to get fit for the Hearts game, but I would rather be going straight into training.
"I know the main thing for me is to keep my head down, work my socks off and get myself in the team, and I'm sure the goals will take care of themselves after that."
