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Celts in management

Lennon can handle Stokes

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Neil Lennon has no worries over handling Anthony Stokes.

Last week the striker agreed to return to Hibs for a third spell after a miserable spell at Blackburn Rovers ended with his four year contract being paid off.

In his last spell at Hibs Stokes signed off with a devastating display in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final that earned him legendary status in Leith.

Lennon had a few brushes with the striker during four years together at Celtic but there was always a mutual respect between the two men.

Returning Stokes to the form that he showed alongside Gary Hooper would be a massive boost for Hibs hopes in the Premiership with Lennon confident that he can deal with the striker.

I don’t think Stokesy takes a lot of managing,” the Hibs boss told The Sun. “We do have these figures in the game, guys who are mavericks or rascals.

Keeping Stokesy’s head in the right place can be a difficult thing to do, but sometimes the stories around these guys get blown out of all proportion.

I’ve known him for a long time and I know the type of kid he is. Stokes is alright. Yeah, if he needs a stick across the backside, he’ll get one.

He knows there’s a line with me he can’t cross but he managed that very well for four years with me at Celtic — and there’s no reason why he can’t do the same again at Hibs.

Stokes hasn’t come here for the money, because there were overtures from abroad, places he could have gone to and earned a lot more.

But he’s at the stage of his career where he needs to play, and he knows he’s got a great chance of playing here on a regular basis.

There’s a familiarity with myself and Hibs, and I think at 29, we’re getting him at a very good age.

Stokesy wants to have a good season, he wants to catch the eye of the Ireland coach again but he can only do that by playing consistently and scoring goals.

There’s no doubting his ability, and you don’t lose that talent. Sometimes you lose your way, whether it be through injury or things away from football but if you can get him right and focused, the talent’s still there.

Stokes is fit, he’s in great condition, he just needs match sharpness now.

His record in Scotland is very good, in terms of goals per season — and he gets assists, as well. So we’re bringing in a quality player.”

Stokes is likely to start tonight’s League Cup tie at home to Ayr United with Lennon then deciding whether to include the striker in his side for Saturday’s trip to Ibrox against Sevco.

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