There was a smile on the striker's face in the wake of progress in the William Hill Scottish Cup but there was none on that of his manager during a highly competitive tussle against St Mirren. Neil Lennon leapt about as if he had just learned the match against Juventus this week had been declared a tag team contest with the official being appointed by world wrestling authorities. The Celtic manager roared on his team from the first moment with special, ahem, encouragement being directed at Emilio Izaguirre and Stokes.
"Listen, there are thousands of other fans giving me abuse as well. He just adds to the rest," said the Irishman. "It goes in one ear and out the other to be honest with you because you're just focusing on the game."
Part of Lennon's hyperactivity was derived from the disappointment of the defeat at Motherwell but most of it was calculated to impress on his players that the season was not over. The manager almost accepted after the match that the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title had been won and the Champions League trip to Turin on Wednesday was one of damage limitation.
He was keen, however, to emphasise that he wants to keep the season vibrant and the key to this is a successful cup campaign, culminating in a domestic double. Lennon has tasted deep disappointment at Hampden in recent visits and would savour an appearance at the national stadium that ended with a trophy presentation to his side.
The continuation of this ambition on Saturday was sustained by a resilient performance by Celtic who played well in the first half and with determination in the second. Celtic won because of an accumulation of factors: James Forrest was superb, Joe Ledley was strong and tactically intelligent, and Fraser Forster was brilliant in saving Graham Carey's free-kick.
"I thought it was in as soon as I hit it. But the keeper got a good hand on it and that is why he is at a top club. I was almost celebrating when he plucked it out of the air," said Carey. "He is a top keeper although it took him a little while to settle at Celtic. Over the past year he has been terrific and surely is knocking on the door of an England call-up."
Forster will be braced for further, sustained action on Wednesday night and Ledley, who was dropped for the first leg, will surely start the return. Forrest will be key to any hopes of Celtic scoring in Turin. He is quick, incisive and can finish. He made Ledley's goal on Saturday with a sprint past Paul Dummett and a cross that begged to be converted. A neat interchange between Forrest and Gary Hooper allowed the Scottish internationalist to stand up the ball at the back post for Stokes to head home.
The goal will do nothing to diminish the hopes of Stokes of earning another Celtic contract but the Irishman will have precious few chances to impress in Turin as he will almost certainly not be in the starting XI.
"I watched the games in the house," said Stokes of Celtic's Champions League group campaign, and he may be condemned to watch them from the bench this week.
The situation with Izaguirre is less clear-cut. The Honduran can be blamed for the past three goals conceded by Celtic. His failures at Fir Park were followed by a bizarre piece of play against St Mirren when his inability to clear a long ball with a header was followed by a nod back across an empty goal and an equaliser from Esmael Goncalves.
After appearing to regain form, the full-back has shown frailty and Lennon has a decision to make about his participation against Juventus. The Celtic manager expects Charlie Mulgrew to be fit and, if so, it is reasonable to assume a starting berth will be found for the Scottish internationalist. He could be a direct replacement for the Honduran or find a place in the middle five if Lennon opts to pay three at the back.
Celtic sympathisers will be hoping, too, for more from Hooper and Georgios Samaras. Both have excelled in the Champions League but have become somewhat becalmed of late.
Hooper forced Craig Samson into an excellent save and helped create the winner but was not at his vibrant best. Samaras, who came on as a substitute, was exhorted by his manager to "be stronger" at one point and auditioned successfully for a role as Nearly Man. Celtic will have to be collectively strong on Wednesday but the Greek and the Englishman have a duty to relieve pressure by holding possession.
Another type of holding may enter the equation. Stokes was asked if any work had been done to combat Juventus grappling at corners. Has there been any wrestling in training? "Not yet, no," he said, with a smile. The serious stuff begins again on Wednesday.
