Neil Lennon Stokes fire within his striker by telling him stakes are high at Celtic

But he admits the incessant reminders from manager Neil Lennon have reinforced the need to win every match. Celtic host Hamilton today looking for their 15th consecutive Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory and Stokes will go into the match with the words of Lennon ringing in his ears.

"The gaffer hammers the need to win into us every day, so listening to him it's always at the back of your mind," said the 22-year-old.

"I knew what was expected coming here anyway, it's just part and parcel and, luckily enough, this season we've won every game so far. Every day in training and before games, we sit down and have a meeting and the gaffer drills it home - it's all about winning games.

"We'll take a 1-0 victory every week because it all comes down to - through the course of the season - being the best team."

Champions Rangers have matched Celtic's perfect start to the season and the pair sit eight points ahead of third-placed Motherwell with just six games played.

But both Old Firm teams have each won by a solitary goal on four occasions and Stokes has warned supporters not to expect a walkover whoever they play.

"To be honest, our squad this season is very strong and Rangers obviously have a strong squad, I think it's hard on the other teams to compete when you see the quality of players the Old Firm have," the former Hibs player said.

"The fans expect us to win three or four nil every week, but it's not going to be like that. If you look at the Kilmarnock game the other week, teams will sit back and be hard to break down.

"Fans just need to be patient, every win is a win - it doesn't matter how it comes. We want to play nice football as well, but at the end of the day we play for results."

Lennon, who was named the SPL's manager of the month for September yesterday, accepts that most fans will be expecting to see their seventh successive SPL win of the season and with perhaps something to spare.

The former Hoops captain said: "It's a no-win situation. If we win we are expected to win and if we don't then you are going to take criticism for that.

"But we are confident and are pleased with the way things are going but that can change in one game and with one result."

Looking further forward to the inaugural Carling Nations Cup, Lennon appeared lukewarm to the prospect of losing players for the first round of games scheduled to be played in Dublin in February.

"I am pleased that Shaun Maloney has been called up to the Scotland squad this week, I think he deserved it," he said."But, from my point of view, at that stage of the season I would probably be wanting my players to have the time off."

Hamilton, who drew 2-2 with Kilmarnock last week, have an unchanged squad for the visit to Celtic Park, Alex Neil and James Gibson their only absentees.