Anthony Stokes is happy to be playing anywhere in the Celtic first team if it helps them pick up silverware this season. The Republic of Ireland striker is currently playing in a wide role alongside main forward John Guidetti and his third goal in six games secured a 1-0 win over managerless Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday. The win saw Ronny Deila's men go three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and they look forward to a Scottish Cup fifth-round trip to Dundee and League Cup semi-final against Rangers in the new year.
Stokes said: "I’m playing on the left wing this year but I have chipped in with a fair amount of goals and assists so I’m happy with my form so far. I’m enjoying it out there. I can always come inside and play with the striker and it gives me different options. I’m happy to play there. My goal return is decent for the role and I’ve been creating goals as well, so I’ve been happy with my form. My preferred position is to play up front but we need to adapt to how the gaffer wants to play and I have no issue with that whatsoever. I’m just happy to be in the side, starting nine times out of 10 and helping the team. I enjoy every game. You always want to be playing and in the starting XI."
Celtic have already secured their spot in the Europa League's knockout stages, but Stokes insists putting on a show in their final group game in Croatia against Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday is important to keep momentum going into the busy Christmas period. Stokes said: "The pressure will be off and the gaffer might change the team but we don’t want to let the fans down over there. We want to put on a good performance and try and get a result regardless if we are qualified or not."
Celtic extended their winning streak in the Scottish Premiership to seven games at Fir Park and Stokes revealed he and his team-mates are determined to continue their good domestic form, starting with Sunday’s visit of struggling St Mirren. He said: "We always go out with the mentality of trying to win every game. Confidence is high at the minute and momentum is good and we will try to take our chances. We haven’t set a target. We just want to pick up three points in every game. We are on a good run at the minute and we want to maintain that."