Neil Lennon: The ball is in Anthony Stokes' court for Hibs move

Neil Lennon has confirmed that Hibs have made a 'really strong offer' for Anthony Stokes after the striker left Blackburn Rovers.

Anthony Stokes could be set for a third spell at Easter Road. Picture: Mark Runnacles/Getty

Hibs target Anthony Stokes released from Blackburn contract

Stokes made the move to the English Championship side after helping Hibs to end their Scottish Cup hoodoo but made only two league starts for the Lancashire side as they were relegated to League 1. The 28-year-old reached an agreement with the club to end his contract.

“We are in talks with Anthony,” Lennon told BT Sport. We made him a really good offer, a really strong offer so the ball is in the court of Anthony, with his agents. We wait to see, we just have to hope that Hibs is the next stage in his career again.”

The Hibs boss also confirmed the club’s interest in Lithuanian international midfielder Vykintas Slivka, who was due at the club on Saturday for talks about a loan switch from Italian giants Juventus. The 22-year-old had two loan spells last season, playing for Dutch second-tier side FC Den Bosch and Ascoli in Serie B.

Lennon has targeted three new additions following the signing of Lithuanian striker Deivydas Matulevicius on a two-year deal on Wednesday as he looks to replace Jason Cummings.

“There will be players coming in and players going out so the squad is far from finished,” he said.

“He’s (Jason Cummings) an out-and-out goalscorer, Ross County lost Liam Boyce. They are hard players to replace. While we are very pleased with the players we have brought in we are still looking to bring in a little bit more firepower.

“I would want at least three more of quality, rather than quantity. The top end of the pitch is important at any level and no more so than the Premier League in Scotland. So while I am pleased with the players we’ve brought in, they will add to what we already have, we are still looking for that little bit of stardust to go with it.

Lennon was more reserved when asked where he thought his team would finish following a prediction he made last season, stating he was going for second place.

“I don’t want to make predictions,” he said. “I felt at the time, after the semi-final last year, we were as good as anyone in the country without Celtic. Other teams have strengthened, we’ve strengthened. We’re looking forward to it, I still have a bit of work to do for what I want in terms of personnel. We are not far away from having a very good team.