Hibs’ striker Anthony Stokes is convinced that Hibs can cause Rangers problems at Ibrox on Saturday.
The clubs meet for the first time since the 2016 Scottish Cup final which Hibs won 3-2 with a last minute goal from David Gray.
Stokes also grabbed a double that day and deservedly won the man of the match award for his performance.
After the game hundreds of fans ran onto the Hampden pitch sparking a number of brawls and the Republic of Ireland international is anticipating an intense atmosphere which will bring out the best in him.
“I’m excited about Rangers as I prefer games with an intense atmosphere. There shouldn’t be more on the line because you should want to win every game but the atmosphere does get through to you.
“You just need to stay relaxed and focus on the football. The fans can’t play the game for you. It’s up to us and I’m positive if we bring our A-game and we’re 100 per cent at it then we can cause them problems.
“Maybe Ibrox is the kind of place that brings the best out of me. The Scottish Cup final stuff is done and this will be a different, difficult game and at a tough venue, but we couldn’t be doing much more with our form coming into the game.”
Stokes also joked that Lennon could take some of the heat off him by repeating his famous cupped ears celebration of 2011 in front of the Ibrox crowd, a gesture that sparked wind scenes.
He laughed: “The gaffer could take the heat off me – especially if he does that thing with his ears again!”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
