The former Rangers captain believes controversial ex-Celtic front man Anthony Stokes is worth taking a gamble on for a club in search of striking reinforcements.
Ex-Rangers captain and club legend Barry Ferguson has spoken of his admiration for former Hibs and Celtic striker Anthony Stokes, saying the free agent would be worth taking a gamble on.
Stokes, who left Hibs yesterday by mutual consent, has bagged 146 club goals in his career to date. The Arsenal academy product netted an impressive 44 goals for Hibs across his three stints in Edinburgh, while firing in 76 goals for Celtic in five seasons.
Hitting those figures is no easy feat for a striker, and his eye for goal should not be over looked according to Ferguson.
“It frustrates me, every time I watch [Stokes] I like him,” the former Scotland captain said. “He’s got a great first touch and the hardest thing to do in football is score goals, and he can certainly score goals.
“I don’t know what’s went on behind the scenes. Obviously Neil Lennon’s not having anything to do with him again.
“He’s tried. He’s had him a number of times at Celtic and obviously at Hibs now.
Ferguson sympathised with the Hibs fans, who he explained think very highly of Stokes, especially after his significant role in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final against Rangers, scoring his team’s first two goals and inspiring them to victory.
The ex-Blackpool man went on to say that he maintains the fact that the Irishman is worth taking a gamble on, and still has plenty of good football left to offer.
“He worth a gamble, certainly with the ability he’s got,” Ferguson said.
“It’s up to him whether he wants to get away out the country, go back down to England or maybe even try abroad, but he’s definitely worth a gamble.”
It will be interesting to see what happens next with Stokes. Still only aged 29, as a free agent he will be well suited to a club who missed out on a striker target in the January window.
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