Sports Digest: Anthony Stokes soars for surging Celtic

Stokes will be rewarded with a lucrative new contract

Anthony Stokes will be rewarded with a lucrative new contract after scoring in the 5-0 win over Hibs on Sunday that moved Celtic ever closer to the Scottish title.

As financial problems continue to cripple Rangers, beaten 1-0 at home by Kilmarnock on Saturday, Celtic are within sight of the Championship trophy.

The Bhoys are now 17 points clear of their Glasgow rivals after Rangers were deducted 10 points for going into administration.

Stokes played a huge part in their latest win as he began the Easter Road rout that also featured goals from Gary Hooper (two), Charlie Mulgrew and substitute Ki Sung-yueng.

“That’s Anthony’s best game under me since we brought him in and I couldn’t be more pleased with him today,” said boss Neil Lennon after his side’s 18th straight win.

“I will review all the contracts at the end of the season but if we get over the line with the championship, he will be at the front of the queue because his contribution has been fantastic.

“He has been a bit frustrated at being in and out of the team at times and I can understand that -- the kid just wants to play -- but he has set a standard today, that’s for sure.”

Stokes himself is delighted with the talk of a new deal after falling foul of Lennon on more than one occasion.

“Listen, I have never been happier at a club,” said the Irish striker.

“I have another season after this and then an option and I can’t see myself playing for anyone else for a long time, if the offer is on the table.

“I am obviously delighted that I scored and got back in the team and I was happy with my contribution. I want to play every game but I know it’s not going to be like that. I have to take my chances when I am back in the team like I did today.”

Celtic may be assured the title after recent problems at Rangers, but Lennon won’t allow his team to become complacent and Stokes agrees.

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“We are not thinking about them, honestly,” he said. “We are not thinking about anything that’s going on over there, we are just focusing on ourselves and if you look at the games that we have played over the last few weeks you will see that.”

Irishman Pat Fenlon, a self-confessed Celtic fan, has his own problems to worry about as manager at relegation threatened Hibs.

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Nster.com