01 Aug 2013 12:06:51
Seems to be quiet on the rumours front so thought I would throw this in for a talking point. I don't believe Anthony Stokes should have been offered a new contract. I don't believe he has the attributes to be a CONSISTENT goal creator or taker. He makes far too many wrong decisions at vital times, is not aware of the the movement of his team mates, does not contribute enough off the ball and above all for a striker lacks real composure.

1.) 01 Aug 2013
Totally agree mhate, I'd have allowed stokes to walk for nothing if necessary.

Agree with everything you've said, he's a player I've never been a fan of, even when he was "on fire" partnering Hooper.

He's exactly the kind of deadwood we should be getting rid of imo

Craigie_bhoy

2.) 01 Aug 2013
Though he was poor last night and had to keep checking back on to his right foot, by that time Commons was picked up. He is an SPL player and I would pay him accordingly. I would also say that the front line suffered last night for the inclusion of James Forest in the team. He is an impact sub and should be used accordingly in Europe, if at all. Why was he moved inside last night, was posted missing out wide for most of the game, moving him inside doesn't help either, just like the Juve game, became invisible. If he couldn't hide well enough and someone found him with the ball, he simply passed straight back, the boy needs more time learning the game in the development squad. We really need a couple of extra front men, the only thing that remains to be seen is the budget that is made available for them. HH Kip Emerald

3.) 01 Aug 2013
Stokes will score 20 plus goals this season, maybe even 30
would rather have someone playing for us that wants to play for us than someone that doesnt, Hooper should have been sold in January, and we would have had time to get in a decent replacement and bed him into the team

4.) 01 Aug 2013
Totally disagree with the Forrest comment, everytime he ran at the full back last night, he went by him, ableit his final ball could have been better, but you could also argue there wasn't many targets to aim at in the box. The problem Forrest had las tnight was the lack of service, and when it did, it was a lot of diagonal balls to him byt the time he brought it down and took a touch he had 2 sometimes 3 men around him. Celtic miss a Lubo, a centre midfielder who could take the ball and spray it out wide quickier, without having to go to the full back 1st, by doing this, you free the full back to over lap and it let's you go 2 on 1 rather than them doubling up on the winger.

Agree with Stokes, his level is SPL, and it was proved last night when he had a chance in the 2nd half and his touch ended up about 4 yards away from him and he had to play it back to Forrest after he picked him out with a brilliant disguise pass

5.) 01 Aug 2013
I agree stokes will score loads this season. the same people here criticising already are the boys that were on sammys back also a bet. yea he was poor last night but would hooper have done better?im not to sure. yea I agree we need another striker but wait and see what balde is like. and don't give this bs that if he comes on 10 mins left that's another game without a goal

Bangura your a disgrace man. get rid celtic

6.) 01 Aug 2013
Fully agree with his lack of composure in front of goal where he goes for the spectacular rather than pass to a team mate. I'm also a bit worried that he sees himself as the main free kick taker. In both scenarios he often fails. sojfra

7.) 01 Aug 2013
Simply not good enough at the top level. He will score goals in Scotland but will be found wanting in Europe.

8.) 01 Aug 2013
To the bhoy who said Stokes wants to play for us?very short memory knocked us back to go Sunderland reserves.I agree with the post he ain't GOT IT. But if your happy with that kind of quality I am happy for you. as for forrest, electric pace, but little else, although he can get better.As for The Greek adonis, yes I was heavily critical of him, never a striker, but on his game will cause havoc to any defence, but he is JUST a CULT HERO. PS Stokes, if he playes every game this season will score 25 this season, but that doesn't make you a PLAYER. ASK SALLY! al geri. ps Kevin Doyle will make, Stokes look like Van Persie, and make Sammi look like Arjen Robben. al geri H.H.

9.) 01 Aug 2013
Stokes is a bang average player, fair enough he will score goals in Scotland but that's his level. All the rubbish that Doyle has been getting and people saying he isn't good enough for Celtic, Doyle has been a regular at International level for years now, Stokes cannot get near the ROI squad.says it all in my book.

Big Dawg

10.) 01 Aug 2013
Couldn't agree more. Stokes is an absolute abomination of player. saying he will score 20-30 goals a season? kris boyd scored that for the people and he was a big lump of sh1te. also that's the arrogant bugger knocked back two contracts from us. we shouldn't have signed him after the first time.

11.) 01 Aug 2013
Stokes will score goals for Celtic. Those who say he's a spl player am I missing something, last time I looked that's where Celtic were playing and that's their bread and butter
A few boys still running round with hard ons for Hooper and Wanyama it seems .First train out of town the 2 "legends" were on it . TTTS

12.) 01 Aug 2013
Stokes is SPL level at best and like Forrest, he is found wanting at CL level.
The fact we sold 2 of our best CL players and are making do, is at least complacent and at best incompetent.
We are under-equipped up front at present and even if we do scrape past Elfesborg we need more quality to progress and compete.

JJ

13.) 01 Aug 2013
Stokes isn, t good enough, it was the same stokes who won us the scottish cup, winner in the semi final and, was man of the match in the final.Some people seem to forget he was out for most of last season with a bad injury.Stokes will score goals for celtic, for fans to have a go at him because he missed a chance last night isn.t on.The best strikers in the world miss chances in every game, some fans are not happy unless they are moaning about something.jimbhoy

14.) 01 Aug 2013
So Stokes is average. Well as supporters we are all entitled to our opinions. My thought's are yes, he has his dodgy games but so did Hooper. In many a games our Gary was posted missing and it seems that many people have short memory's as it was Stokes who laid the goal's on a plate for Hooper when the partnership was working well. I do agree we require another striker and also a creative midfielder.

Delbhoy

15.) 01 Aug 2013
Think the kris boyd comment is shocking. He was on a par with Henke, well according to ewan camerh*n and alh*n ruff, nae wonder they shut that stations fitba phone in doon, mr dalziel will do the same to snydes phone in soon. newco fur the treble anyone. must have a chance 2nd best squad in scotland!EASY TO SAY GORDON PROVE IT.

16.) 01 Aug 2013
01 Aug 2013 16:39:21
Reading some of the comments here I think some of you need to remember that Hooper as much as he scored goals in the SPL he did not do much in Europe. Yes he scored an important goal against Spartak but let's be honest he had to put that way! Stokes is in my opinion an all round better player than Hooper but maybe not as much a goal scorer. I can't blame Stokes too much because I don't think he has much help up front right now. I just hope this Balde is as good as he says he is (regarding the comment 'Gary who?') because we need a goal scorer. Forrest is a cracking player, remember it's early days in the season, we all said the same things last year! 'NOT GOOD ENOUGH' etc. Big Vic is the major player we will miss this season especially in Europe! Kayal is not the answer to Vics replacement. Big Vic has a special presence and that will be missed! We need a player who is more direct and that is why big Derk (if he stays fit!) will be the answer and I don't think we need to worry too much for the up coming season. Give it time for our bhoys ro shake that rust off!

Green Stig

17.) 01 Aug 2013
Doyle isn't good enough for Celtic, Stokes is, as for ROI team Stokes should be ahead of Doyle and all other strikers barring proven goalscore Keane every day of the week, only reason he isn't is because of the self important headbanger of a manager . TTTS

18.) 01 Aug 2013
Al Geri your a total kn*b mate, every post from your vile computer is negative, you never have a good word ro say about our team, your comment about Sammi is out of order, sammi is the life in our attack, loyal, took a pay cut to join us and with the exception of broonie a true Celtic hero. You are a t!t that doesn't deserve to watch him play.

Darrenbhoy

19.) 01 Aug 2013
Green stig have a day of mate. That's why Hooper is away to play in the English premier league and Stokes is getting offered a crap contract extension, as it would not be the end of the world if Stokes leaves. Ian L

20.) 01 Aug 2013
English premier league yes but Norwich. enough said. You were probably one of the guys babbling on about how much it's a step back. Stokes has been offered an extension because Neil Lennon knows he can do a job.

Green Stig

21.) 01 Aug 2013
Stokes is a pretty good striker, he certainly has limitations-I look at him as a squad striker. The fact we haven't brought in a top drawer striker is an absolute disgrace. We are taking a huge risk, - you don't have to have a degree in economics to know that it is worth risking say 4/5/6 million on a player who could help you gain roughly 20 million with the champions league, especially if he is in his early 20's (Vossen/Hosiner for eg) and has a re-sale value. All round the deal is pretty much bullet-proof, but oh no if there is a hard way off doing things Celtic will find it, of that you can be guaranteed!I've been watching them for 30 years and things have never changed! Paul

22.) 01 Aug 2013
Sorry folks-I meant to add that we have lost Miku, Lassad and obviously Hooper, the lad Balde looks like he might be more for the long term, so as I said the fact we didn't have a striker lined up when Hooper was wanting to leave for the last year is truly incredible! Paul

23.) 01 Aug 2013
Well said Paul
The End:

Bigbadjohn

24.) 01 Aug 2013
I would give Stokes a new contract and agree with Paul, he is decent and will get goals in Scotland.

I would like to see him mature a bit more this season and no carry-on.

We do need to spend on a Centre Forward, last night highlighted this big time! ~ Mrs E

25.) 01 Aug 2013
Well said Paul and TTTS

26.) 02 Aug 2013
I would give stokes a new contract if one can be agreed. A good squad player who will get anywhere between 15-25 goals per season. There will be parts of the season where he will go on a run of games and getting the goals in the process. We will need commons, the new boy derk, and even forrest to chip in this season with there fair share of goals as-well as the strikers.This was the first competitive game this season, judge the squad in 3 or 4 weeks time. I think we will bring in another striker before the window closes, hail hail

27.) 02 Aug 2013
He will get goals in spl but let's face it that is it, he can be used as cover when better players rest

28.) 02 Aug 2013
Totally agree with the OP on both points. Stokes only consistency is in bad decision making. always trying the spectacular which rarely comes off, when an easy ball to a team mate in a better position was on. As for Forest. maybe it's a confidence thing with him, but I think he's very overrated.
Clapham Bhoy