Lennon: ‘wee rascal’ Stokes can make it for Ireland

ALTHOUGH Anthony Stokes has been relegated to a standby position for Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad for next week’s Carling Cup game against Wales, Celtic manager Neil Lennon has backed his in-form striker to make it as an Irish international.

“Eventually, yeah,” says Lennon. “He’s only 22. He’s got a lot more to his game than people realise and as he gets older he’ll incorporate all these things into his game. And you’ll have a very good player on your hands.

“At this stage, he could probably work a little bit on his link-up play. There’s times when his game appreciation can be better. But you get that with young players. He’s a very instinctive player. He’s a great lad and he’s maturing all the time. But I think at times he could get hold of the ball a little bit better. But that’s nit-picking. You look at his goal ratio at the moment, and it’s fantastic – he’s got 17 this season.”

Stokes had some well-publicised misadventures in Roy Keane’s time at Sunderland but Lennon says he doesn’t need the young Dubliner to be a saint.

“Look, he’s a wee bit of a rascal but we’ve all been there,” he laughs. “And I wouldn’t take that away from his personality. I quite like that. I don’t mind that as long as he keeps working as hard as he’s doing. And he’s good to have around the place. He’s ingratiated himself very well into the squad. The players like him and the staff like him. His confidence has grown and he’s become a very important player for us.”

Ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm cup clash at Ibrox, Lennon was also hailing another of his Irish contingent, Paddy McCourt, the man that Celtic fans have dubbed ‘the Derry Pele’.

“I think Paddy is already someone with a cult following,” says Lennon. “He is a Celtic-style player. He’s mercurial at times, and the fans adore him when he’s in the mood. He’s a great lad, he really wants to do well, his attitude has been first class and he’s worked hard on the fitness side of the game. He’s come up trumps in a lot of games.”

Lennon was in Dublin for official confirmation that Celtic, Manchester City, Inter Milan and an Airtricity XI will be the teams contesting the inaugural Dublin Super Cup at the Aviva Stadium in July. The glamour pre-season tournament, with first team squads confirmed, will see the Airtricity XI v Man City (2pm) and Celtic v Inter (4.30pm) on Saturday July 30 followed by the Airtricity XI v Celtic (2pm) and Man City v Inter (4.30pm) on Sunday July 31. The usual three points for a win will apply but with the novel twist that, in a bid to encourage attacking play, there will be a bonus point on offer for every goal scored. Promoters Endemol Sport said that design of the tournament trophy will be sourced in Ireland but admitted that they have yet to nail down both television rights and sponsorship for the tournament. Tickets (per day) range from €30 for adults (and €10 for U16s) up to €65 and there will also be live music and other attractions in the stadium on both match days.