WORLD CUP CRUNCH COUNTDOWN .. 3 DAYS TO GO

Stokes: Hibees ace John can fill boots of Broonie for Scots after Parkhead heroics

Scotland. He got man of the match against Denmark.

“John has played at that level and has proved he is ready. He just needs to keep on improving. He is young enough to still improve his game.”

The Hibs striker believes his team could have ended Celtic’s unbeaten run at the weekend but gave his former club credit for refusing to accept defeat when they fell behind.

He added: “Celtic have an unbelievable team who haven’t lost in 58 domestic games. The quality’s not in doubt. It’s going to be more a case of them having an off day and another team having a bit of luck as well.

“We went 1-0 down against the run of play. But we did great to get ourselves back into the game and take the lead. I felt we were actually quite comfortable.

“The way we set up we nullified them playing out from the back. We really limited them to just a couple of chances.

“But it shows you the quality Celtic have. You give them a sniff and they take it.”

And Stokes believes Celts have the best in the business between the sticks in the shape of Craig Gordon. He said: “I was with Craig when he was with Sunderland. He was a steady keeper and has improved his game. He’s better with the ball at his feet now. As a striker you hit shots and you think, ‘Goal, 100 per cent!’

“He pulled off a worldy on Saturday. It was one of those you just think he’s never going to get.

“It was flicked on and I’m just waiting on Whitts (Steven Whittaker ) to turn it in but with Craig’s reactions he’s on it and it was an unbelievable save. He’s a top-class goalkeeper.

“I thought it was 100 per cent a goal but he ends up getting some hand on it. Keepers go through bad spells, like strikers when you’re not scoring, but that’s the standard he has set throughout his career.”

Gordon will be in goal for Scotland on Thursday and Stokes would love to resurrect his own international career with Ireland. But he took issue with Republic manager Martin O’Neill who claimed this week the Hibs forward was “talented but could be lazy”.

Stokes said: “You look at the game on Saturday and tell me if I’m lazy. I look at my stats and I always cover a decent amount of ground.

“This year I didn’t have a pre-season but I feel I’m getting up to speed now and I covered plenty of ground. It doesn’t bother me at all.

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I’m probably my own biggest critic. I just focus on what I’m doing to score goals and put in performances.

“I love playing for my country and I’d love the opportunity again but it’s out of my hands so I just focus on my club football, keep playing as well as I can.

“I’d be delighted but it’s not something I’m dwelling on.”

John has played at that level and has proved he is ready ANTHONY STOKES