ANTHONY Stokes has emphasised the importance of Neil Lennon after agreeing to join Hibs for a third time.
The 29-year-old arrived in Edinburgh yesterday and underwent a medical at the club’s East Lothian training centre before completing the formalities of the move.
The signing of Stokes, who is a free agent after leaving Blackburn Rovers last month, is due to be formally announced in the next 24 hours, with the player expected to sign a two-year deal.
The capture is a major coup for Hibs, given he could have pursued more lucrative options in India, China and England.
However, the presence of his former Celtic head coach Lennon was pivotal. He told STV: “Neil Lennon was definitely a big part of it. He got the best out of me when I was at Celtic and I’m hoping he can do the same this time round.
“I haven’t played in a while, so I just need to get back at it, and get as fit as I can as quickly as I can.”
In his first spell with the club between 2003 and 2004, he scored 24 goals to earn a move to Celtic.
Returning to Easter Road on loan for the second half of the 2015/16 campaign, Stokes then cemented legendary status by helping Hibs smash their 114-year Scottish Cup hoodoo – scoring a double in the breathless 3-2 win over Rangers in the final.
Speaking to talkSPORT yesterday, Lennon said: “We’re bringing in Anthony Stokes, which will please the punters after his heroics in the Scottish Cup final.
“I know what a good player he is from my time at Celtic, so we are
building a really decent squad. We are really excited.”
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