‘Celtic didn’t turn up against Barca’ says striker Stokes
Anthony Stokes admits Celtic lack the cutting edge to make them competitive in the Champions League. The Irish frontman claimed Neil Lennon could be gifted the best striker in the world and the team would still have struggled to make an impact in this season’s group stages. He wasn’t excusing his own failure to find the net at this level, but rather offer an explanation of the standards Celtic have failed to set in all areas of the pitch over the last three months. Lennon’s men were praised to the hilt last season as they qualified for the last 16 against the odds for the third time. This time, they are facing criticism and scorn after five defeats in six games and their lowest points tally in the group stage since Martin O’Neill first led them there 12 years ago. Stokes had to settle for a place off the bench in the 6-1 drubbing by Barcelona and freely conceded he has never suffered so much in a Celtic shirt. He said: “It was as hard a night as we have had as a team. They were unstoppable, but we didn’t do enough. “Watching from the side, Barca started at a high tempo. This was always going to be a hard game but I just don’t think we were ourselves at all. “We never played at the standard we have set before in this competition. “Neymar was just phenomenal. We were off the pace but he is frightening when he is in that sort of form. “He’s still so young as well. He’s an unbelievable talent and he is only going to get better.
The team disappointed Stokes in patches of games but we are playing against quality opposition:’ A bout of navel-gazing will now follow, with many Celtic fans demanding a root and branch review of the club’s signing policy and financial investment in the playing squad. There are calls to strengthen in January with a view to having another, more successful tilt at this level next season. But that is easier said than done as the play-maker or clinical striker many feel the side need are rarely available in the New Year window. And if they are, and are willing to come to Scotland, they cost a packet. Stokes added: “I don’t know if the manager will bring in a new striker in January. To be honest, you could have had the best striker in the world playing for us against Barca and it wouldn t have mattered. “If you can’t keep the ball, keep possession and create chances, you aren’t going to score goals. “What’s the difference from last year? There has been a change in personnel. There are a lot of new faces. “For a lot of the guys in the dressing room it’s their first Champions League campaign with the club; It’s a learning experience for a lot of the boys”.
For coverage of this weekend’s tie at Parkhead, we’ve got all the live updates on our Celtic v Hibs blog.