Stokes: I've done nothing wrong

Hibernian striker Anthony Stokes was today unapologetic over reports he was involved in a nightclub fracas last month – insisting he had done nothing wrong.

Speaking publicly for the first time about the incident which occurred after Hibs’ 2-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat at Hamilton on September 13, Stokes admitted he had to be more careful in future.

But despite angering manager John Hughes by going out drinking after a loss and putting himself in a position to make front-page news, Stokes was adamant his behaviour was beyond reproach.

“There was nothing to that to be honest with you,” said the 21-year-old, who was reportedly thrown out of the Edinburgh nightclub.

“I don’t think I actually did anything so I just think it was some idiot putting something in the paper.”

Asked if he had learned not to put himself in such a compromising position in future, he said: “Of course, but I don’t see what the situation was to be honest with you.

“I was out and I had one drink on the night out, so I don’t see what the big deal was.

“If that’s down south in London or anything like that, that doesn’t get into the papers.”

Hughes refused to reveal whether the club had disciplined Stokes over the incident but urged him to make headlines for the right reasons.

The summer signing from Sunderland responded in emphatic fashion, scoring three time in two games.

Those were his first goals for the club after he failed to scored in his opening three matches, missing a number of sitters in the process.

But he insists he never stopped believing he could recapture the form that saw him net 16 times in 18 appearances on loan at Falkirk three years ago.

“I didn’t lose the faith,” he said of his dry run. “Sometimes that happens when you get to a club.

“Obviously, you want to score as soon as possible when you get into a new team.

“I probably should have scored on my debut, never mind three or four games later, but I was just glad to get off the mark and hopefully more goals will come.”

That could lead to a recall to the Republic of Ireland squad and a potential World Cup spot.

Stokes, who has three caps, watched his compatriots secure a play-off place during the international break by drawing against holders Italy.

He said: “I want to do as well as I can for Hibs – that’s my main concern at the minute.

“It would be nice to get a call-up – something to look forward to.

“I just have to keep playing as well as I can and trying to score goals.”

The Irish face a tough task to reach South Africa after FIFA controversially decided at the last minute to seed the play-offs, meaning Giovanni Trapattoni’s men must play one of France, Portugal, Russia or Greece next month.

But Stokes said: “If you look at the performance against Italy the other night, if we play as well as we did, it doesn’t matter who we come up against.”