Anthony Stokes continued on the goal trail last night as Blackburn Rovers won 3-1 away to Mansfield in the Capital One Cup.
The former Celtic striker scored in Saturday’s 4-1 Championship defeat from Norwich and appears to have settled quickly to working for Owen Coyle.
On Saturday Blackburn travel to meet newly relegated Aston Villa with Coyle hoping that last night’s win can give the players a lift after being hammered by Norwich.
“Overall I was delighted, cup ties are always tricky games,” the Blackburn boss told the club website. “I felt we controlled the game and looked dangerous every time we went on the forward.
“We allowed them back into it in the second half, although it was a great header from the lad, but our reaction was great, we’ve scored three goals tonight and truth be told we could have had five or six.
“When we took control and passed and moved it we showed we are a good side and it was good to show a positive reaction from the weekend when we all knew that we didn’t get anywhere near the level.
“So the important thing was they did have a positive reaction in what was always a tricky game, so to come and show the attitude and the work-rate was good to see.”
Shane Duffy scored Blackburn’s other goal.
Stokes enjoyed a productive loan spell with Hibs last season but returned to Celtic shortly after the Scottish Cup triumph over Sevco at Hampden.
That performance looked like it could relaunch his Celtic career but after talks with Brendan Rodgers the club decided against taking up the 12 month option on his contract.
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