Rovers new boy Stokes believes with the facilities the club have to offer, they should be playing in the Premier League.
A Premier League club – Stokes signed for Blackburn last month
Anthony Stokes has told the Lancashire Telegraph that he believes Blackburn Rovers are a Premier League club, and that they should be targeting a return to the top flight via the top six.
The former Celtic forward recently moved to Ewood Park on a free transfer, becoming one of Owen Coyle’s first additions in what is quickly becoming a revamped Rovers side.
Coyle has already recruited Liam Feeney and Danny Graham, with Stephen Hendrie also joining the Blue and Whites on loan from West Ham.
Recruited: Danny Graham
And Stokes believes that with the facilities the club have to offer, Blackburn should not be content with anything less than a top half finish, describing the club as ‘Premier League.’
“You look at the facilities, the training ground, the stadium, they are second to none. This is a Premier League club,” Stokes told the Lancashire Telegraph.
“We have to be looking this year to really push on, at least get in the top half of the table and then start looking toward the top six.
“We need to be positive and we need to have that sort of belief in the team.
“If we all work hard enough, and the gaffer gets a few new players in, and we have a good strong squad, and a good bond within the squad, then we’ll have every chance this year.”
Anthony Stokes scored in the Scottish Cup final
Stokes signed a three year deal at Ewood Park following his Celtic switch.
The former Arsenal trainee has an excellent strike rate, scoring 58 goals in 135 appearances during his time at Parkhead.
Hibernian’s Anthony Stokes (L) in action with Ross County’s Andrew Davies
He famously scored twice in Hibernian’s Scottish Cup final triumph last season, etching his name into the club’s folklore.
And with a return to English football secured, he’ll be hoping to establish himself in the same vein at Rovers.
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