Stokes surprised Deila wasn’t sacked

Anthony Stokes says he was surprised that Ronny Deila wasn’t sacked following Sunday’s Scottish Cup loss.

Deila’s exit from the club at the end of the season was confirmed yesterday but the Irishman was surprised it wasn’t immediate.

Speaking to the Scotsman after Hibernian’s win over Rangers in the Championship, he said:

It was a surprise and it wasn’t. For the club to come out and say he’s going to finish at the end of the season is a surprise as it’s normally a case of lose the derby and you lose your job.

Listen, I’m not going to be joyful about anyone losing their job. I want Celtic to do well as they possibly can and that is other people’s decision.

The 27-year-old striker joined his former side who currently play in the Championship, after making just two appearances in a Hoops jersey this season with the hope of making Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad.

In his 17 appearances for Hibernian, Stokes has scored seven times, including a goal in last night’s 3-2 win at Easter Road.

He was frozen out of the squad by Deila and his last appearance in a Hoops jersey came against Dundee United at the end of August.

After tweeting his discontent at being sat on the Celtic bench against Inverness, the Irishman was suspended for two weeks from the club’s training ground.

Deila insisted however it wasn’t just one incident that resulted in the suspension, and the decision resulted from previous incidents and the club had to take a stand.

With the Norwegian exiting the club this summer, Stokes will be hoping for a fresh start under a new manager when he returns to Celtic this summer.