Good display guarantees Stokes nought

Anthony STOKES knows that no matter how well he plays for Celtic at Kilmarnock tonight it still might not be enough to guarantee him a place in Sunday's game against Rangers at Ibrox.

The former Hibs striker started in the first game this season against Rangers at Parkhead but has had to settle for a place on the bench in the following five meetings between the Glasgow giants.

Stokes has notched 19 goals so far this season - one for Hibs - but is hoping to make amends for Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden, where he missed a couple of good chances and a penalty in the first half before the Hoops eventually cruised to a 4-0 win to set up a final place against Motherwell.

The Irishman said: "It obviously won't do me any harm if we play well and I put in a good performance, but I have found out during the season, probably the hard way, that I have been playing well and scoring goals and then left out.

"Nine times out of ten I would probably have had two or three goals on Saturday - you have those games every now and again. I actually thought I played well after missing the penalty.

"You have to try to not let it affect your confidence and I think I did that."