Stokes throws down the gauntlet to Rangers as Celtic play catch-up

Neil Lennon’s side are now only four points behind Rangers at the SPL summit after last Saturday’s impressive 5-0 win over St Mirren, coupled with their Old Firm rivals’ 1-0 loss at Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Stokes said: “I think we’ve improved a little bit, we’ve tightened up at the back – we’re not conceding as many goals lately it doesn’t seem – and it’s paying dividends. We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing. We’re trying to bring that consistency into our game.

“In the last four or five games we’ve done that, so we just want to try and kick on.

“We want to keep on this run, keep winning games and keep the momentum going.”

Celtic had been 12 points adrift, but have won four straight SPL matches, while Rangers have one point from their last two games. But Stokes believes it is too soon to suggest the momentum has turned in Celtic’s favour.

The striker, who watched the second half of Rangers’ loss at Rugby Park on TV, added: “Early on in the season we had a bad spell. I think we’ve come out of that now and we’ve shown what we can really do.

“We know it’s four points now, but there’s so long to go in the season... we’ll see what happens. We’re not too worried about what’s happening at other clubs, we’re just focusing on ourselves.”

Celtic’s attention turns to the Europa League tomorrow, with Atletico Madrid visiting Parkhead.

“It’s going to be a very tough game against a top-class side, but it’s a game we’re looking forward to,” the 23-year-old added. “It’s the best team we’ll have played in a long, long time – it will be interesting to see what happens.”

Victory would enhance Celtic’s hopes of advancing from Group I ahead of next month’s trip to face Udinese and Stokes hopes the league form can be continued in European competition.

He added: “We want to win every game. The more competitions you’re in, the more games you’re winning, the more confidence and belief there is in the team.

“It gives you that momentum. We want to win every game possible.”

Celtic’s form has improved despite the absence of key midfielder and captain Scott Brown.

Brown, who signed from Hibernian in 2007, recently returned to training following an ankle injury but his long-term future is the subject of conjecture, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Brown has agreed personal terms to stay but talks have stalled, Lennon saying the impasse was due to the fee demanded by the player’s advisors.

Stokes, who also moved to Celtic from Hibs, hopes a resolution is found.

“It would be nice to keep him,” Stokes said. “He’s a great player and a leader and if he can get it sorted it would be brilliant. But that’s up to Scott to sort out with the club. We’d all love to see him here for a long, long time. Hopefully he can get it sorted out as soon as possible.”

Stokes has been on the move recently and after his home was attacked earlier this month for the second time.

He insisted the off-field events have not been a distraction. “I’ve moved house, but I’d arranged it a month or so ago. I’ve moved two weeks earlier. It’s just one of those things. I’m enjoying my football at the minute and that’s the main thing,” he said. “

“I’ve been fine. For me, at times when you have things going on in your personal life, it’s good to get into the training ground and take your mind off other things. I’m happiest when I’m training and playing games.”