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Anthony Stokes secures Scottish return with Livingston

Anthony Stokes is heading back to the familiar environs of the Scottish Premiership
Anthony Stokes is heading back to the familiar environs of the Scottish Premiership

Livingston have signed former Celtic and Hibernian striker Anthony Stokes on a one-year deal.

The 32-year-old has returned to Scottish football more than two and a half years after leaving Hibs for a third time, having fallen foul of then manager Neil Lennon over disciplinary issues.

The Republic of Ireland international has since had spells in Greece, Turkey and Iran, the latter of which ended when he left Persian Gulf Pro League champions Persepolis following the coronavirus outbreak.

Stokes has had some troubles off the park in recent years, but manager Gary Holt had vowed he would be prepared to give any player a chance if they embraced the club's work ethic.

Speaking on Friday, Holt said: "I don’t think we have to sell Livingston as a club and the stature of what’s gone on the last couple of years but I still think we have to make players aware of how we work, the environment we set, how we go about it, because it’s damn hard work first and foremost, it’s putting a shift in.

"You will enjoy it while you do it because the environment is what we set.

"When you sit down face to face and talk to someone, you want a chance. I needed a chance and fortunately Livingston gave me that chance.

"We will see what comes with players when we get the opportunity to talk to them."

Stokes, who has scored 136 goals in Scottish football, is Livingston’s third new signing in two days after German striker Lars Lokotsch and French defender Julien Serrano arrived on Friday.

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