FORMER Celtic striker Anthony Stokes could be handed a career lifeline by St Mirren’s new boss Alan Stubbs.
The 29-year-old ex-Republic of Ireland international frontman is a free agent after leaving Greek side Apollon Smyrni at the end of the season.
Stokes was axed by the Super League side just three months into an 18-month deal.
It completed a nightmarish spell for the fallen idol who cost ex-Hoops boss Neil Lennon £1.1milllion when he was signed in 2010.
However, the Northern Irishman, who took the player to Hibs from Blackburn Rovers last summer, gave Stokes the boot from Easter Road in January for a breach of discipline, despite scoring 11 goals in 21 games.
Stubbs, who also had the hitman at the Edinburgh club when he scored two goals in the Edinburgh club’s historic 3-2 Scottish Cup Final win over Sevco Rangers two years ago, is ready to give him another chance with the newly-promoted Paisley outfit.
Stokes is now training with the Buddies in the hope of resurrecting a career that was once full of promise.
