Hibs’ striker Anthony Stokes is looking to score over twenty goals this season although he admits that reaching that total will be easier said than done.
In his first season at the club however, under John ‘Yogi’ Hughes he managed 23 goals.
Stokes is delighted to team up with former manager Neil Lennon, under whom he won several honours at Celtic and played some of his best football.
He left Easter Road on a high last summer after his man of the match performance helped Hibs finally win the Scottish Cup however with the acquisition of experienced players such as Efe Ambrose, Steven Whittaker and Ofir Marciano he believes that the current squad is stronger than the one he left.
Speaking to Sky Sport News yesterday, Stokes said: “As a striker, the 20 goal mark is the benchmark, I’ve always said that and this year I will be looking for twenty plus goals at least but it’s easier said than done.
“The club is definitely on the up. It was a great way for me to finish last time, winning the cup. Obviously the lads had a very successful season last year so the mentality is there to win games.
“The experience is there and I think the club have gone all out to have a go this season.
“I’m coming in and I just hope that I can help improve the team and get scoring goals.
“Everything about this club suits me and on a personal level, having the gaffer (Neil Lennon) here make it a lot easier.
“I actually think that the squad is probably stronger now than when we won the Scottish Cup and I think we can have a very successful season.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back into it.
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.
