MX23RW : Thursday, May 9 09:05:12| >> :120:4734:4734:

Livingston snap up former Celtic striker Anthony Stokes

The 32-year-old has signed a one-year deal at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Livingston have signed former Celtic and Hibernian striker Anthony Stokes on a one-year deal.

The 32-year-old has returned to Scottish football more than two and a half years after leaving Hibs for a third time, having fallen foul of then manager Neil Lennon over disciplinary issues.

The Republic of Ireland international has since had spells in Greece, Turkey and Iran, the latter of which ended when he left Persian Gulf Pro League champions Persepolis following the coronavirus outbreak.

Stokes has had some troubles off the park in recent years but manager Gary Holt had vowed he would be prepared to give any player a chance if they embraced the club's work ethic.

Speaking on Friday, Holt said: "I don't think we have to sell Livingston as a club and the stature of what's gone on the last couple of years but I still think we have to make players aware of how we work, the environment we set, how we go about it, because it's damn hard work first and foremost, it's putting a shift in.

"You will enjoy it while you do it because the environment is what we set.

"When you sit down face to face and talk to someone, you want a chance. I needed a chance and fortunately Livingston gave me that chance.

Stokes was prolific for Celtic
Stokes was prolific for Celtic (PA)

"We will see what comes with players when we get the opportunity to talk to them."

Stokes, who has scored 136 goals in Scottish football, is Livingston's third new signing in two days after German striker Lars Lokotsch and French defender Julien Serrano arrived on Friday.

The latter two will join the squad for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Aberdeen, who returned from their own coronavirus shutdown with a 1-0 win against St Johnstone on Thursday.

Manager Gary Holt believes Stokes deserves a chance at Livingston
Manager Gary Holt believes Stokes deserves a chance at Livingston (Craig Williamson/PA)

Holt said: "They are a really good side, they are unfortunate they have a few injuries as well but they have players that can play, that many teams would take.

"So we know how difficult it is going up there, how hard it's going to be, but we have got to take the qualities we have shown in the last two games and the belief that we can go up there and get something.

"There have been really good games between bothΒ  teams since I've been there and I expect the same."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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