Stokes nearing the exit door at Celtic

Anthony Stokes looks set to move to Burnley in pursuit of first team football after being left out in the cold by Ronny Deila, via the Herald.

The 27-year-old striker was mainly used last season in the wide area, but since the arrival of Stuart Armstrong in January the Irishman hasn’t got many opportunities in that role.

Stokes has a year left on his contract at Celtic Park but is surplus to requirements for manager Ronny Deila and is expected to leave before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

The Irishman didn’t even feature in the squad for the Bhoys’ Champions League qualifier with Azerbaijan side Qarabag and it’s possible that he has played his last game for the Scottish champions.

A host of Championship clubs including Leeds, Huddersfield, QPR and Reading were all linked with a move for Stokes, but it seems Burnley manager Sean Dyche is reportedly lining up a move, as the Clarets have yet to sign a striker to replace Danny Ings.

Stokes has fallen down the pecking order at the Hoops since the arrival of Turkish frontman Nadir Ciftci from Dundee United in June in a deal worth £1.3milliom.

Having joined the club in 2010 from Hibernian for a fee of £1 million, Stokes has won four league titles in a row with the club scoring 58 goals in that time for the club.