He's spent five years in Glasgow, fulfilling some of the potential he showed at Arsenal and Falkirk, but it looks like Anthony Stokes' time at Celtic is coming to an end.
The nine-times capped Irish international found playing time harder to come by last season, as adapted to a new wide role when manager Ronny Deila preferred Leigh Griffiths in the main striker role. Now with Stuart Armstrong and Nadar Ciftci arriving from Dundee United, Stokes will find it even tougher to get games at either position.
According to the Daily Mail, a meeting with Deila suggests that Stokes wouldn't be one of his first choices to play. Deila outlined how tough a challenge Stokes is facing to get back into the team after he was left out of the win over Qarabag:
Anthony was left out because we found others better, so he has to fight to get back into the team again.
I should hope he’s not happy as everyone should be angry if they don’t play but we’re a team with teamwork and you get what you deserve from how you play in training and matches.
Unless there is an Ashley Young type reversal in fortunes, Stokes will remain on the periphery at Celtic unless he moves club. At 27, Stokes should be just entering his prime and could still have more left in the tank.
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Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
