Former Celtic attacker Anthony Stokes has returned to Scottish football to play for Premiership side Livingston.
The West Lothian club announced the transfer earlier this evening.
The former Republic of Ireland international becomes their new number 9 after the departure of Lyndon Dykes to Queens Park Rangers earlier this week.
Now 32, he makes the move following a departure from Persian Gulf Pro League champions, Persepolis of Iran.
Livi boss Gary Holt had previously made it clear that if Stokes was to arrive at the Tony Macaroni Arena, he’d be expected to work hard and show more commitment than in recent seasons.
As quoted by The Daily Record, he said: “You don’t play at the level he’s played at, win the things he’s won, without being a very good footballer. It is something we’ll explore and we’ll speak to Anthony and his representatives.
“I look at Anthony’s pedigree and think, ‘I could work with him’. But he’ll know he’s coming here to work. We place demands on individuals.
“If he buys into that and wants to be part of it, we have a good chance of getting something done. If not, I’ll shake his hand and say, ‘on you go, then’.”
Holt, who has done an excellent job at the Premiership outfit, could be the kind of coach and manager that Stokes needs at this stage of his career.
There’ll certainly be a spotlight on how he does on his return to Scottish football.
Stokes is fondly remembered by Celtic fans as a creative forward who struck up a famous partnership with Gary Hooper during Neil Lennon’s first spell as manager.
In total he scored 76 goals and assisted 64 times in 192 appearances for the club (Transfermarkt), which is an excellent direct goal contribution.
The striker won seven trophies as a Bhoy, including four league titles.
It’d be nice to see him reignite his form in Scotland, albeit not against Celtic!
In other news, Michael Stewart has urged Celtic not to make a John McGinn-style error by missing out on David Turnbull.
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