Anthony Stokes delighted by his first Celtic goal

Anthony Stokes was delighted to score his first goal for Celtic and maintain Neil Lennon’s 100% SPL record.

The former Hibs striker scored from close range in the 51^st minute against Kilmarnock having been denied the chance to take a penalty four minutes before the interval.

Conor Sammon opened the scoring in the 7^th minute for the home side but goals from Daryl Murphy and Stokes made it a great day for the Irish and the noisy Celtic travelling support.

Stokes was brought down by Frazer Wright four minutes from the interval but after putting the ball on the penalty spot was muscled away by the combined efforts of Murphy and captain Scott Brown.

“I won it and tried to take it,” the new bhoy admitted. “ I knew Murf was on them anyway but I tried my hand.

“To be fair he took a great penalty, it’s his second of the season so until he misses I will let him have them.

“It was brilliant to score. At Hibs last year I went four or five games without scoring before I went on a run but at a club like this you need to score as early as possible because you won’t get as much game-time.

“I was delighted to get off the mark so early but the main thing was three points. We showed some great character and played some good football in the second half and probably should have got a few more.”

It was the third away game this season that Celtic have won by a single goal.

James Forrest’s ankle injury forced Neil Lennon to change the shape of his team. Birham Kayal and Paddy McCourt came in for Forrest and Stokes but McCourt found himself midway through the half giving Stokes his chance.

Kilmarnock were impressive and more forceful than they have been in recent seasons with Mixu Paatelainen putting his own stamp on the club.

There were plenty of rough edges to Celtic’s play with Lennon looking very anguished at times during the second half as his side failed to retain the ball.

Efrain Juarez was a half time replacement for the injured Scott Brown but the presence of Joe Ledley was required to provide some reinforcements with Juarez and Kayal still to get streetwise to the Scottish game.

Emilio Izaguirre doesn’t look as if he’ll require any time to adapt, the Honduran put in another eye catching performance and delivered the telling cross for Stokes to net the winner.

Lennon described Stokes as a menace when he signed him and was delighted to see his latest signing get off the mark.

“I like his style,” Lennon admitted about Stokes. “He has the hunger to run in behind defenders, he is a fit boy and he will score goals.

“Why did I leave him on the bench? That’s a good question. We felt that with James Forrest being out and being away from home, we would put an extra midfielder in.

“Obviously when Stokes came on he added a bit of danger and he made a difference.”

James Beattie and Vladimir Weiss have still to score for Rangers.

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