FORMER Celtic striker Anthony Stokes is on the verge of agreeing his move to Blackburn Rovers.
New Ewood Park manager Owen Coyle is interested in taking the Republic of Ireland frontman to the English Championship side.
Stokes, who was released by new Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers last week, is eager to sort out his future as swiftly as possible.
The lure of a three-year deal at Rovers could swing the move in Coyle’s favour.
Stokes, 27, completed the season on loan at Hibs after a fall-out with ex-boss Ronny Deila.
He scored twice in the Scottish Cup Final as the Easter Road outfit ended their 114-year hoodoo.
Ex-Parkhead gaffer Neil Lennon, who replaced Alan Stubbs, has admitted the Edinburgh side don’t have the financial resources to keep him.
Now Coyle has stepped in to make an offer which could see Stokes return to English football after starting his career at Arsenal in 2005.
After a loan spell at Falkirk, he joined Sunderland in 2007 when Roy Keane was the Stadium of Light manager. He had also had temporary moves at Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.
Celtic paid £1.2million for the player from Hibs in 2010. He scored 58 goals in 135 league games, but his two most recent goals in the Scottish Cup Final were relished by supporters of all clubs in Scottish football – except the newest one!
