Anthony Stokes has backed himself to form a deadly partnership up front with Scottish Player of the Year Leigh Griffiths if he is given an opportunity at Celtic by new manager Brendan Rodgers next season.

The Republic of Ireland forward scored two goals in the Scottish Cup final while on loan at Hibernian, as they beat Rangers 3-2 at Hampden Park last weekend, but the 27 year old says he would like a return to Celtic Park. Speaking to the Glasgow Evening Times, he said:

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"I have said since day one that I wanted to go back. I would love to play with Griff. The first season that Leigh and I played together we scored a barrowload. He came in for five or six months and he is someone that I really respect as a footballer. He is one of the best finishers that I have ever played with and I think we have showed already that we can link up well when we are out there together.

"He scored 40 goals this season – we could do a fair bit of damage with two of us up there. I think over two or three seasons if I am playing regularly then I will score 20 or above."

Stokes is likely to be disappointed though as Rodgers is unlikely to play two up top with his preferred formations being 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1.

Whether Stokes will get another chance at Celtic after falling out with previous manager Ronny Deila remains to be seen.

The Northern Irish chief is yet to meet his new players and will likely be reassessing every squad member before making a decision on their future at the club.

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