Soccer

Neil Lennon praises consistency of Anthony Stokes as Celtic close on title

Republic of Ireland striker has had his best season says manager

Celtic’s Anthony Stokes celebrates with Charlie Mulgrew after scoring his goal against St Mirren during the match at Celtic Park. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters
Celtic’s Anthony Stokes celebrates with Charlie Mulgrew after scoring his goal against St Mirren during the match at Celtic Park. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters
Sun Mar 23 2014 - 13:23

Neil Lennon reserved special praise for Anthony Stokes after the Celtic striker helped take the Hoops to within touching distance of the Scottish Premiership title with a goal in the 3-0 win over St Mirren at Parkhead on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland player was on top form as the champions-elect swept away the challenge of the Paisley side after Norwegian midfielder Stefan Johansen scored for the first time since completing his move to Celtic from Norwegian side Stromsgodset in January, with a close-range header from a Leigh Griffiths cross a minute before the interval.

Celtic dominated the second half with Griffiths grabbing the second in the 61st minute before Stokes made it 3-0 in the final seconds with his 12th goal of the season.

It left the home side with the chance of wrapping up their third successive championship against Partick Thistle at Firhill on Wednesday night, if second-placed Aberdeen drop points at Ross County the previous night.

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Lennon believes Stokes is playing at his most consistent best since signing from Hibernian in 2010.

“There was some great performances and I was delighted with Stokes,” said the former Celtic skipper. “I thought his all-round game merited the goal he got at the end.

“I think he has had a good season. I don’t think he has scored as many as he would like. He has been prolific in the last two or three seasons.

“So this hasn’t been his best in terms of goals return but for consistency I think it has been his best season.”

Celtic’s championship win will be emphatic. The Hoops have only lost to Aberdeen in the league this season and it is that sort of form which Lennon has enjoyed.

He said: “Winning the title is our focus, as is progressing the team and you can see real shoots of improvement as we go along. We are playing some really good stuff.

“We probably don’t want the season to end even though it has been a very long season

“We were a little bit sloppy with our passing in the first 20 minutes but we always felt we could get in behind them.

“We just needed to find the right pass and we did with Leigh, it was a great cross and a great run and finish by Stefan.”