Stokes annoyed at missed chances

The former Hibs striker believes the performance and result was encouraging ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Aberdeen, but admits he might have scored to add to the double he got in the 3-3 draw at Kilmarnock last week.

“We didn’t want to go in to the Aberdeen game after a defeat in Rennes,” he said. “I thought we played well, we had one or two chances and I missed one or two myself. I should have scored in the first half, I tried to divert the ball into the near corner but those balls are a little bit different to the Mitre ones (used in the SPL). I didn’t get much whip on it so I was a little bit disappointed.

“We put ourselves under pressure with the own goal we gave away but we fought back well again and we are happy with the point, I suppose.”

Stokes admitted his role in Rennes was exhausting but insists he will continue to try to impress manager Neil Lennon, who has often left him out of the bigger games.

“It was a hard shift up there,” he said. “It can be a thankless task, but to be fair the lads did well to get up to support me and I think it worked all right..

“I am just trying to do as well as I possibly can and try to score goals. In France I had to try to hold the ball up more as I was up there on my own but I did as well as I could and I am happy enough with my performance.”