Stokes’ reminder for Staunton with second hat-trick

ANTHONY STOKES offered Ireland manager Steve Staunton another reminder of his burgeoning talent by claiming a hat-trick for the second successive Saturday as Falkirk thumped Dunfermline 3-0.

Now Falkirk manager John Hughes admits the future of his on-loan striker Stokes is entirely in the hands of Arsenal.

The 18-year-old Dubliner, who was named Young Player of the Month for October this week, has now scored nine times in his last four games.

The Falkirk boss is hopeful a deal can be reached with the Premiership side to allow the striker to stay beyond January, but concedes Stokes’ future is out of his hands.

Hughes said: “I would love to keep Anthony here after Christmas and we have a fantastic relationship with Arsenal, but, ultimately, they call the shots.

“We’ve got first option on him in November,” said Hughes, reluctantly conceding the player may have blown his cover.

“First and foremost we have to respect Arsenal’s wishes, secondly there are Stokes’ wishes and thirdly you are hoping that no-one else takes notice in what he is doing.”

“We have first option on him, but there are a few things which will have to be looked at and, first and foremost, we have to respect Arsenal’s wishes as they might want to take him back.

“Anthony also has to want to stay up here and we have to hope nobody else is taking much notice in what he is doing for us. I would like to think he would want to stay at Falkirk, but it would be foolish for me to put all my eggs in one basket. All that matters is what Arsenal say.”

Stokes, still sporting a black eye after a clash with Dundee United keeper Euan McLean, had even been forced to match up with his manager in a training match. “Ask him who the best centre-half he has played against is and he will say it was me last Friday when he had to get carried off,” Hughes said.

Says Stokes: “I practice with my left foot a bit, but to get a hat-trick with it I wouldn’t have seen that coming.”

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here, the manager has been great, and has given me a chance, so we will discuss that in the next few weeks and see what happens, and see what my options are.”