MX23RW : Saturday, June 29 14:43:36| >> :600:1019664:1019664:

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 both  teams since I've been there and I expect the same."

ID:411238: cacheID:411238:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6746:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Tommie Hoban in action for Watford in July 2016
Read Next:
Aberdeen's Tommie Hoban delighted with return to action
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Saturday, June 29
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 30
 
5pm
 
8pm
Monday, July 1
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 2
 
5pm
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!