Neil Lennon: Hibs move closer to Anthony Stokes deal

Neil Lennon has had further talks with signing target Anthony Stokes and says that while it would be wrong to say he is confident of getting his man, he does believe they are edging closer to an agreement.

Anthony Stokes has held further talks with Hibs. Picture: Greg Macvean

“He has made his point very eloquently and we have made ours,” said the Easter Road manager. “It could be 50/50 or we may have put ourselves in a strong position.

“In terms of football he knows this would be the place for him. He is not holding us over a barrel and he is not being greedy. The talks were very sensible for him and there looks like there is a maturity there. We are not a million miles away and we need to get some sort of closure on it one way or the other.

“We do have other players in mind but Anthony has been our main priority for a while and I think we are getting close. The bottom line for Anthony is does he accept more lucrative offers elsewhere?”

But Leith does have an emotional pull for the former Blackburn player, according to Lennon. “He has been a success here before and we are back in the Premiership where he has already made his name. He is loved here for the Scottish cup final and, even if he doesn’t come, that won’t decrease at all.”