Tuesday 19 January 2016 11:50, UK
Hibernian have completed the signing of Celtic striker Anthony Stokes on loan until the end of the season.
The 27-year-old was in the stands for the Edinburgh side's draw with Falkirk on Sunday while the club finalised paperwork for the deal.
Inverness CT manager John Hughes had publicly stated his interest in bringing the forward to the Highlands this month for the rest of the season, with Dundee United also striking a deal with Celtic for the player.
But the Republic of Ireland international opted to re-join his old club amongst further interest, which reportedly included English Championship teams.
Hughes signed Stokes for Hibs from Sunderland in August 2009. He scored 24 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions while at Easter Road, with that impressive form prompting a transfer to Celtic the following year.
Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs claims the capture of the former Arsenal striker, and his decision to choose the Easter Road club over other suitors, is an indication of the club's ambitions.
Stubbs said: "We had a chat yesterday and I think from that chat, it was very evident that we got on well together. He wanted to come here, he wanted to come and play under me. I didn't need to sell him the club, he knows what it's all about and he was excited to come and be part of what we want to do here.
"We are in the Championship but we've got the nucleus of a Premiership club. I think we still feel as if we are.
"Everything we've got, the stadium, the training ground, we are a Premiership club in the Championship. Our ambitions are of Premiership standard.
"I think Anthony is a fantastic statement from the football club. The chairman and Leeann (Dempster) and everybody deserve a lot of credit for that. We're ambitious and I think this just sends out a statement of how ambitious we are."
Stokes has had loan spells at Falkirk, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace in his career and has fallen down the pecking order at Celtic in recent times.
He was suspended for two weeks by manager Ronny Deila for taking to social media when he was left out of the squad after travelling to a league game against Inverness in November.
And while Stubbs admits he has not spoken to the player about his off-field antics, he is confident he can be a successful loan signing.
He said: "It's obviously something that we will chat about, but that will be it. I'm more concerned about what he does on the pitch than off it. And I want him to start doing his talking on the pitch.
"He'll want to do what he's good at and that's scoring goals and playing well and being part of what we want to do here."
Despite a record of scoring 76 times in 192 games for Celtic, Stokes has only featured twice this campaign and has not played first-team football since the end of August.
With Hibs' striking options including Jason Cummings, James Keatings, Dominique Malonga, Martin Boyle and the newly added Chris Dagnall, there may not be room for Stokes to get regular game time at Easter Road.
When asked how Stokes fits into the team, former Everton defender Stubbs said: "Competition for places. I think when any new players comes in, it brings out more in other players and I've got a real healthiness amongst the strikers, and to be honest I've got a real healthiness amongst the team, as in selections.
"Some people would say it's difficult, I'll say it's great."
