Stokes can be best of the rest, insists Livi skipper Bartley
NO ONE would disagree that Anthony Stokes has ability in abundance, certainly enough to persuade Livingston manager Gary Holt to recruit him for the next twelve months as the club sets out, as usual, simply to cement their place in the Scottish Premiership and bruise a few egos along the way.
A sharp, fit and switched-on Stokes might have converted the opportunities that came Livi’s way in their 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen on Sunday, although the question remains: Does he possess the required desire to battle for an unfashionable outfit, but one which invariably punches above its weight?
Club captain Marvin Bartley does not question his new team-mate’s ability. He does, however, wonder if the appetite that saw Stokes make a name for himself at Hibs and, for a time, at Celtic, before he featuring in leagues in Greece, Turkey and Iran, is still there.
“He is a fantastic player,” Bartley insists. “I don’t think anyone questions that about him. We’re hoping that he’s hungry to play football, which he seems to be because I’ve spoken with him and he seems to be.
“He seemed hungry to be back in Scotland and looking to do well. If he is like that and plays to his levels, with the ability he has, I don’t think you’ll find a better striker outwith the top two.
“I genuinely mean that. He has so much ability. People have been messaging me who played with him. They are like ‘wow’. If he decides that he wants to do it, then Livingston will have pulled off a coup.”
Stokes’ last port of call was at Persian Gulf Pro League champions Persepolis which he quit due to the Covid outbreak having made only one appearance in his seven months there. Livingston, Bartley believes, is the ninetimes capped Republic of Ireland internationalist’s last chance.
“If at 32, he doesn’t come here and perform,” he said.
“It’s as severe as that”.
Bartley wasn’t pleased with a failure for Livi to accept responsibility in Sunday’s game, despite a first half which should have seen them comfortably in front.
Lewis Ferguson’s penalty shortly after the break settled the Dons before Scott Wright’s second following a manoeuvre that shredded the visitors’ defence ensured Scott Pittman’s goal was nothing more than a consolation.
Aberdeen now look to
Europa League business with the visit of NSI Runavik from the Faroes on Thursday.
Ferguson is adamant he has not been thinking ahead to the following day when the SFA will sanction the eight Dons players – he wasn’t one – caught-up in the coronavirus controversy when they went out into a crowded bar on the night of the opening day home defeat to Rangers.
He said: “Whatever happens we will need to take it on the chin and move on.
“I still feel we have a good enough squad and group of players who are capable of going and doing a job and getting another three points against Hibs next weekend after the Europa League game.
“Hopefully, against Runavik, we can put on a better performance than we have shown over the last two games, but it doesn’t really matter as long as we are winning.
“I am looking forward to it and it should be a different test.”