SAVE US STOKES
Mixu’s plea for Celtic star to rescue United
MIXU PAATELAINEN yesterday pleaded for Anthony Stokes to join Dundee United and save the Tannadice club’s season. Stokes remains a much sought-after striker in this transfer window and is also wanted by Hibs, while Sportsmail reported yesterday that more appealing options include Cardiff, Rotherham United, Leeds United, Fulham, Reading and Barnsley.
Inverness have admitted defeat in their quest to attract the Irishman to the Highlands but Dundee United have agreed a deal with Celtic to land Stokes, although the player remains to be convinced of joining a battle to avoid relegation.
Paatelainen is desperate to add firepower to his side and in Stokes sees the ‘hero’ who can save United from their first relegation since 1995.
‘The two clubs agreed a few
weeks ago when we approached Celtic,’ confirmed Paatelainen, whose side face Celtic live on BT Sport this evening at Tannadice. ‘After we approached them, we got permission to speak to (Stokes) and we did that. Now it’s up to the player to decide. ‘If he decides us, then great because he will score goals and become a hero here — but if he decides otherwise, then so be it and we would wish him all the best. ‘It’s one of those things. Sometimes they go for you and sometimes they don’t. I don’t think he has given an answer to anybody yet. He did tell me there were quite a few clubs interested in him, but that doesn’t surprise me because he’s a quality striker and goalscorer. ‘But our talks were very positive and it turns out he’s a very nice guy. ‘There are other strikers we’ve targeted as well, so we just have to wait and see what happens.’ Another of the forward’s suitors, John Hughes, reluctantly accepts he won’t be reunited with Stokes but the Caley Thistle boss could not resist a cheeky dig at the Dubliner last night after waiting four days with still no response from his former Falkirk and Hibs protégé. ‘It looks like Anthony Stokes is going elsewhere,’ said Hughes. ‘So we wish him all the best. Whoever gets him, they are getting a really talented footballer. ‘He must be really fit at this moment because the last time I got a text was four days ago, telling me he would phone me after training and I never heard from him. ‘So he must have been training for the last four days. He must be really putting himself through the wringer. ‘But I decided three or four days ago not to put pressure on the kid. He is probably feeling it a little bit in terms of being out of the picture at Celtic and he needs to get himself going again, so, hopefully, that is the case. ‘We have been moving on and hope we can attract someone else. ‘It is in the attacking areas that we need to strengthen and there are one or two on the go. Hopefully, in the next week or so we might have one in.’ Hughes claimed it was ‘irrelevant’ why Stokes was uninterested in a move to Inverness, saying: ‘I wish him all the best. He is still a good friend of mine.’ Paatelainen, meanwhile, admitted he wants to bring in two more players before the end of the window but one won’t be Watford striker Uche Ikpeazu. The United boss had enquired about the 20-year-old English forward, but that deal is now dead.