Stokes told he is not in Deila’s plans for future

CELTIC have told striker Anthony Stokes his Parkhead career is effectively over.

The Irish international was summoned to a meeting with manager Ronny Deila and assistant John Collins on Tuesday and informed he was no longer part of their long-term plans.

The 27-year-old was subsequently axed from the squad which eked out a 1-0 first-leg win over Qarabag FK in the third qualifying round of the Champions League and believes he is now finished at the club.

Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City and Wigan Athletic are all interested in a player Celtic signed from Hibernian in August 2010. The Scottish champions are likely to command a fee of around £1.5million despite the fact Stokes has slipped down the pecking order behind Nadir Ciftci and Leigh Griffiths. Stokes (left) signed a three-year contract in 2013 which runs until next summer but is due to stand trial on charges of assaulting an Elvis impersonator in a nightclub.

Deila was quizzed yesterday on the absence of the Republic of Ireland f orward from his bench against Qarabag.

‘Anthony was left out because we found others better, so he has to fight

to get back into the team again,’ said the Celtic manager. ‘I should hope he’s not happy as everyone should be angry if they don’t play but you get what you deserve.’ Sportsmail understands Celtic remain in the market for another striker but Deila has denied reports in the Belgian media that he is ready to sign Club Brugge striker Tom de Sutter should a passage to the Champions League group stages be secured. He has admitted, however, that he wants to reduce the size of his first-team squad to make room for academy players. Adam Matthews has already left for Sunderland, Dutchman Derk Boerrigter is surplus to requirements and Stokes is another certain to leave if a suitable bid comes in. Deila, meanwhile, has branded Craig Gordon the best goalkeeper he has ever worked with. The former £9m keeper has penned a new deal which will keep him at Parkhead until the summer of 2018. And Deila says a pay-rise was necessary to keep the Scotland keeper from the clutches of English predators after he recorded his 30th clean sheet in 55 appearances for Celtic against Qarabag. ‘Craig came in here and he was not on the biggest salary,’ admitted Deila. ‘But he has done well and we want to keep him for many years. ‘He is the best goalkeeper I have ever seen, so he’s at a high level. He will be even better this year as he’ll get a lot of matches and more consistency.’