STOKES BRACING HIMSELF FOR A STORMY RECEPTION AT IBROX
Stokes insists he will relish Ibrox intensity
ANTHONY STOKES can hardly wait. The booing, the jeers, perhaps a few comments too juicy to be repeated in polite company? Bring. It. On.
Even with his gaffer acting as a lightning rod, Stokes knows he’s walking straight into the heart of an Ibrox storm this weekend.
In a first meeting between Rangers and Hibs since the 2016 Scottish Cup Final, the Irish striker — the man who did more than most to break Light Blue hearts on that mad May afternoon at Hampden — is an obvious focal point for vocal vilification. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘I prefer games like this, games with an intense atmosphere,’ said the ex-Celtic star, all but rubbing his hands in anticipation.
‘There shouldn’t be more on the line because you should want to win every game. But the atmosphere does get through to you. You just need to stay relaxed and focus on the football.
‘The fans can’t play the game for you. It’s up to us. I’m positive that, if we bring our A game and we’re 100 per cent at it, then we can cause them problems.’
Stokes’ return for a third spell at Easter Road has probably given Hibs a better chance of causing problems to most teams in the Premiership, if early impressions count for much.
Highly valued by manager Neil Lennon, who worked with Stokes at Celtic, he is even more dear to supporters who will never forget his Man-of-the-Match display — and his two goals — in the greatest jinx-busting, hoodoo-lifting match in Hibees’ history.
The flip side of the adulation, of course, is the stick he’ll take in Govan on Saturday. In this instance, his Parkhead past is the least of the reasons for his unpopularity among Rangers fans.
Joking that Lennon could always help divert some of the abuse, Stokes reminded all and sundry of the former Celtic icon’s ‘I can’t hear you’ gesture to the Ibrox crowd in April 2011.
‘The gaffer could take the heat off me if he does that thing with his ears again!’ he declared.
All giggles aside, it’s hard to see a scenario in which Stokes’ experience isn’t needed by a Hibs team built for the Premiership — but still just 90 minutes into their top-flight return. Saturday is a test of character, as much of ability. Lennon will look to the men in his squad, the battle-hardened footballers unlikely to be fazed by a bit of noise, and trust them to steer their team-mates through the tempest. ‘You don’t know how it will pan out,’ said Stokes. ‘We could be 3-0 up at half-time and I wouldn’t have to say anything. But I’d like to think if it’s getting hectic I could help. Maybe Ibrox is the kind of place that brings the best out of me. But the Scottish Cup Final stuff is done. Football changes week to week — I’ve learned that the hard way over the years.’ In Tuesday’s 5-0 Betfred Cup rout of Ayr United — a first start for Stokes in almost a year after a nightmare spell at Blackburn Rovers — the 29-year-old scored twice and set one up for strike partner Simon Murray with a beautiful reverse pass.
Already, the partnership looks to have potential, Stokes admitting: ‘At times the understanding was there — but we probably do need to play together a few more times to really get it going.
‘It was as good as it could have been. You’re not going to walk in, play with someone and instantly know about all of their attributes. I think, over the coming weeks, he can build on that.
‘He’s a clever player. He works hard, he’s hungry. You can see he’s always in and around the goal. He’s got an eye for it. That’s nine goals for him already. He’s got ability and our relationship will come over time. At times he’s always eager to run. He always wants to go in behind.
‘I’ve said to him that sometimes you can do more damage by standing still or just backing into them and being a link player. But he’s flying at the minute, so I don’t need to tell him anything. He’s finding the back of the net and that’s what it’s all about as a striker. He’s the focal point.’
While Murray was given a standing ovation when replaced in the second half against Ayr, Stokes was the man mobbed by fans when he left the stadium on Tuesday.
Everybody wanted a selfie, an autograph and to serenade the player and his young family with choruses of: ‘Stokesy’s on Fire’. You’ll know it when you hear it.
Asked if he’d staked his claim for a start against Rangers, he said: ‘You can say I couldn’t have done any more — but I could have got a hat-trick! Everyone put down a marker against Ayr. You can see everyone’s hungry. I’m excited about Rangers but I was excited about playing Ayr. I’m glad to be back playing and I really enjoy it at Hibs.
‘It’s good to see Hibs back where they belong. With the size of the club and the fanbase, they deserve to be in the Premiership. It’s a better squad than when I left.’
Others may beg to differ with Stokes on this point. And a few others, come Saturday at Ibrox.