Anthony Stokes (F free agent b.1988)

[Fixer82]

The reasons for him being forced to take it down are tenuous to say the least though imo.

There is no real legal issue with it being up that I can see. Seems a gard just had it in for him and got his way!

[Eminence Grise]

I’m quite sure you need planning permission to erect a sign on a building if it’s over a certain size. I know Mick Wallace won a case against Dublin City Council because he attached one to scaffolding, not a permanent structure. And the Guards probably used the line that the sign was liable to cause public disturbances if it remained up. Though admittedly less of a disturbance than having three people shot on the premises (http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0726/fairview.html), which might have influenced their thinking.

[DannyInvincible]

Stokes on the bench again today for the Scottish League Cup final.

[Junior]

Pity he didnt get a run out. Samaras and Hooper were off the pace today, unlike recent games against Rangers. I definitely would have given him a run out on 60 minutes or so.

He hasnt featured so much in the last few months with the introduction of Samaras on a more regular basis (Samaras has just signed a new 3 year deal) and as a result the blossoming partnership with Hooper has gone off the boil a little. Still Celtics top scorer this season though.....

[paul_oshea]

All this psycho-analysis aside and partnerships aside.

Perhaps Lennon just doesn't trust him enough for these sorta games?

[Junior]

Thats partly it Paul. He trusts him enough to have him on the bench. On this occasion his first choice partnership were not delivering, something needed to be changed and Stokes was the obvious choice for me, though he opted for Paddy McCourt in order to improve the supply but alas it never worked.

[paul_oshea]

Ya but if neither are paying off and you get the supply in then it doesn't really matter.

I mean trust him in more than one way, the kinda personality being a big part of that too - not just getting sent off, but in terms of has he the experience/comfortable/confident enough to handle all the pressures, trials and tribulations, the events and how he reacts of a big game, big day like this.

[Junior]

Anthonys media happy daddy is very upset at Stokes snub yesterday.......

I wanna be in the gang with the fancy links thingymejig (http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/celtic/237493-stokes-wants-to-leave-celtic-says-players-father/)

Celtic striker Anthony Stokes is ready to hand in a transfer request after losing his first team place, according to the player’s father.

"It is crazy Anthony didn't play when he is Celtic's top scorer,” he told the newspaper. “Neil Lennon needs to understand that.

"He isn't going to be at Celtic if he isn't going to play against Rangers or in the big games. My advice to him is to move from Celtic and put in an immediate transfer request.

"I think he will because he has told me he wants out.”

"What is the point of being a Celtic player if you don't play in games like that?,” Stokes snr asked.

"For whatever reason Lennon just doesn't fancy him. They obviously don't trust him to play against Rangers. He was absolutely furious on the bench. I know he is furious that Lennon doesn't have the confidence in him."

The player's father also insisted that his son could have turned a tight game and that Celtic may have been lifting winners' medals had he been introduced to the action.

"It is an absolute disgrace he didn't play against Rangers," he added. "He had a fantastic partnership with Gary Hooper but Lennon has decided just to break it up by putting Georgios Samaras in.

"The game was crying out for Anthony to come on when they were 2-1 down and looking for another goal.

"I have no doubt if he had played he would have won the game for Celtic."

[geysir]

'Celtic used all three substitutes during the match, which went to extra-time. Ki Sung-Yueng, Glenn Loovens and Paddy McCourt were all introduced in an effort to change the game, with Stokes kicking his heels on the bench.'

Only McCourt (the 3rd sub) was used to change the game.

[Eminence Grise]

Celtic striker Anthony Stokes is ready to hand in a transfer request after losing his first team place, according to the player’s father.


Pretty sure his father won't let him sign for Queen of the South, or Queen's Park Rangers.

[Philly]

Watched the game out of boredom yesterday, and was surprised Stokes did not get on. Samaras really was shocking at times and didn't seem to add anything. I think Stokes might end up moving on soon TBH, but to a smaller club. I think he should give the Championship another shot.

[Junior]

'Celtic used all three substitutes during the match, which went to extra-time. Ki Sung-Yueng, Glenn Loovens and Paddy McCourt were all introduced in an effort to change the game, with Stokes kicking his heels on the bench.'

Only McCourt (the 3rd sub) was used to change the game.

Certainly from an attacking sense, though Loovens was introduced in an attempt to stop Celtic conceding any more goals - Rogne had a 'mare.

[paul_oshea]

I see junior the father said "trust" in that article. Seems to be completely it.

Daddy sounds like a flute. "neil lennon needs to understand" that he will be barred from my pub if he doesn't do as i say.

[DannyInvincible]

Anthonys media happy daddy is very upset at Stokes snub yesterday.......

"It is crazy Anthony didn't play when he is Celtic's top scorer,” he told the newspaper. “Neil Lennon needs to understand that."

Sounds like a mouthpiece alright. Think Mr. Stokes needs to understand that Neil Lennon is the manager and what he says goes.


"What is the point of being a Celtic player if you don't play in games like that?,” Stokes snr asked.

Football being a team game or something?

[tetsujin1979]

Latest quotes from Stoke's Dad, on 98FM: http://www.98fm.com/2011/category-news-sport/category-sport/stokes-celtic-2103/

[geysir]

Father supports son! shocker!!

[SkStu]

is there anything worse than the phenomenon that is Helicopter Parents (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_parent)? We get calls regularly from parents of employees saying they will be out sick or asking why X did this to their kid. Quite bizarre. This younger generation is a sham, spoofers the lot of them.

[John83]

is there anything worse than the phenomenon that is Helicopter Parents (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicopter_parent)? We get calls regularly from parents of employees saying they will be out sick or asking why X did this to their kid. Quite bizarre. This younger generation is a sham, spoofers the lot of them.
This is 18 year olds working their first temp job, right? Please let it be that.

[SkStu]

i wish John83! In many/all cases, these are adults who have been through 3 or 4 years of university and are responsible for the provision of healthcare to the population...

(im off to the behaviour that needs to be banned thread!)

[OwlsFan]

Watched the game out of boredom yesterday.

You must have remained in the same state of stupor then after it.

I can see how he might be annoyed but telling a manager to pick his son, a sure way for him to stay on the bench or even worse.

[geysir]

Based on the evidence, the father sounds 'normal' enough to me.

"I never said he should leave Celtic .... I am not Anthony's agent .....I don't speak for Anthony ..... I never ever would ask him to leave, he's bitterly disappointed at not playing yesterday but that's the way it goes
were you surprised that he wasn't brought on as a sub? .... I am not really surprised but disappointed, not for the fact that I'm Anthony´s Da but for the fact that I was kicking every ball I passionatly wanted celtic to win ... etc
Does Anthony still have a future at celtic? That´s up to the manager, certainly I hope he has ... etc etc

[tetsujin1979]

more from John Stokes: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/anthony-is-happy-at-celtic-2587414.html

“I was at a function with friends in the bar and Scottish reporters turned up. I never said anything about Anthony putting in a transfer request. I’m delighted he’s at Celtic and so is he,” he said.
“We’re all Celtic supporters here and anyone who knows me understands how happy I am to see Anthony wearing the hoops. I haven’t been Anthony’s agent for four years and I have no say in what he does or doesn’t do in his career,” he added.
“I was asked how I felt about Anthony not playing in the CIS Cup final and I said ‘you’ll have to ask Neil Lennon that’.
“I think any father would say the same but because of the headlines we’ve been having over the pub, they made something more of it,” added Stokes.

[geysir]

“I was asked how I felt about Anthony not playing in the CIS Cup final and I said ‘you’ll have to ask Neil Lennon that’.

Either Neil is the expressive outlet for his feelings or he had a temporary non-connection with the question.

[Junior]

The latter quotes are somewhat different to the earlier ones. Either journalists bull$hitting or Anthonys Da has had a change of heart after seeing the tabloids this morning. Im 50/50 on which it was......

[paul_oshea]

the heat of the moment -probably-after a few gargles is always more telling than the sober morning after thought "whoops what have i done"

[geysir]

Paul, much more probably you are succumbing too easily (yet again!) to a prejudicial thought process. Should we use that very thought process as a barometer of veracity, it just proves that the defendant is innocent of all tabloid slurs and he said/meant what he is heard to say.

[paul_oshea]

Geysir, thats a fair point, and being the person I am, I'm naturally cynical, but going on his previous form, id take that there is more to this than just ah sure dont we love celtic i have a celtic pub in ireland, why would i say he wants to leave.

The whole pub thing is just a smokescreen to cover his backside.

At least as junior says 50/50

[gastric]

Sporting Life is still highlighting the possibility of Stokes leaving. The reality is who would buy him? Middlesborough, Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday? Not exactly moves that will benefit his career.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/scottishpremier/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/03/21/SOCCER_Celtic_Stokes.html&TEAMHD=scotspremiership&BID=425

[tetsujin1979]

Not sure if this is his twitter account or not, but anyway: https://twitter.com/#!/stoksey10/status/49783378421104640

Don't know where this story has come from but not exactly the 1st thing u want to see in the morning...simple as this...going NO WHERE!!

[geysir]

Sporting Life is still highlighting the possibility of Stokes leaving. The reality is who would buy him? Middlesborough, Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday? Not exactly moves that will benefit his career.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/scottishpremier/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/03/21/SOCCER_Celtic_Stokes.html&TEAMHD=scotspremiership&BID=425
The other night I was watching a film about the hunt for the Zodiac serial killer in California. Something was reported on TV disparaging the police, one detective said 'that's not true', the other dryly replied 'but it's on tv'.
Once a groundless rumour is reported, even in a scurrilous publication like the Sun, it becomes the basis for further speculation as it flies around various media outlets gathering interest..

[paul_oshea]

Did they find the zodiac killer, in the film at least?

[geysir]

Did they find the zodiac killer, in the film at least?

I would be more concerned that you get the point.

Are you setting me up unawares?;)
Trying to get me off guard?
I am not a spoiler Paul, if you want to know the end, check it out yourself.

[paul_oshea]

Me?!NO....how could you be spoiling it when everyone knows the identity of the zodiac killer is still unknown*

*unknown being that they have/had a fair idea based on evidence and rumour and previous but not enough hard proof to charge someone :D Yes i got the point, doesn't mean I agree though :D

[seanfhear]

I think he should tough it out at Celtic for a good while yet. Samaras is the kind of player that can go outa form and Anthony might be able to stake his claim for a permanent place.

[paul_oshea]

He was in form?!

[geysir]

Ouch, the ! after the ?

Paul, you are the Zodiac killer of written expression.

Samaras has been in enough form to keep Stokes out of the team and did enough to earn a new contract.

[gastric]

The other night I was watching a film about the hunt for the Zodiac serial killer in California. Something was reported on TV disparaging the police, one detective said 'that's not true', the other dryly replied 'but it's on tv'.
Once a groundless rumour is reported, even in a scurrilous publication like the Sun, it becomes the basis for further speculation as it flies around various media outlets gathering interest..
Geysir, Without such rags as The Sun and sporting websites, where would we get our info which essentially brings us all together on this forum? We all know and accept that not all info is to be accepted as being gospel, but I believe it is still good to share.

[ArdeeBhoy]

His auld fella is wrong on this, as was Lennon with his player choices on Sunday.

The former was mainly 'heat of the moment' stuff. I mean a publican shouting his mouth off, surely not??

And Samaras was in form, albeit nearly 3 months ago in the last away SPL game v. der Hun.

[ArdeeBhoy]

You can add niall quinn to that too and a few others at that time. The quiet serene pubs of winchmore hill/palmers green were a safe haven for them

You got that partly wrong.
Quinny was a regular in 'The Bank Of Friendship' on Highbury Hill (& the local bookies) after training, during his formative professional days in the days of 'old school' football when players still went in normal peoples' pubs and the like.

[paul_oshea]

I can assure you he was more of a regular in the dog and duck when he didn't want to be seen "in normal peoples pubs"...

[geysir]

Geysir, Without such rags as The Sun and sporting websites, where would we get our info which essentially brings us all together on this forum? We all know and accept that not all info is to be accepted as being gospel, but I believe it is still good to share.
You can chose to discriminate between the printed nonsense and printed rumours which might have a bit of a possibility.

In this case, the information about Stokes wanting to leave Celtic had been repeatedly denied by the so called source of the rumour.
The article in the Sun had all the hallmarks of an obvious piece of journalistic turd.
Fine, if you want to discuss some other media reports speculating on the possible transfer effects based on the veracity of a piece of obvious journalistic turd.
But I reserve the right to point this out.

[paul_oshea]

Cant view at work tets.

[Colbert Report]

Cant view at work tets.


•
Warned his dad to BUTT OUT of his career after casting a doubt over his Celtic future.

•
Admitted that he was HEARTBROKEN at being left on the bench against Gers.

•
And vowed to fight for his future under Neil Lennon and FINISH his career at Parkhead.



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3485423/Stokes-The-truth.html#ixzz1HQDyuxhe

[paul_oshea]

So his father did say something? If we can believe any of those reports?!

[Charlie Darwin]

•
Warned his dad to BUTT OUT of his career after casting a doubt over his Celtic future.

•
Admitted that he was HEARTBROKEN at being left on the bench against Gers.

•
And vowed to fight for his future under Neil Lennon and FINISH his career at Parkhead.
I can sort of understand why BUTT OUT and HEARTBROKEN would be in all caps like they're being shouted by a demented lunatic, but surely FIGHT and not FINISH is the word that needs to be screamed in the last one?

[paul_oshea]

You can assume by finishing his career he will have fought already for his place and will be a mainstay of the team....therefore the emphasis is about finishing his career there:D

[Fixer82]

Watched the game out of boredom yesterday, and was surprised Stokes did not get on. Samaras really was shocking at times and didn't seem to add anything. I think Stokes might end up moving on soon TBH, but to a smaller club. I think he should give the Championship another shot.

Have to disagree here.
Thought Samaras was Celtic's best player. Made some great runs with ball, hard to dispossess and flicked on for Celtic's goal.
Hooper was anonymous and thought Stokes would get a run in his place

[SkStu]

grabs the opener against Hibs tonight. I make that 14 in the league now.


Anthony Stokes finds the net with a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Hibernian.

[Stuttgart88]

Set up Hooper for a goal too.

[The Legend]

whats really important though is that the sun didnt lie!