Stokes Craig Gordon can push Forster all the way

Anthony Stokes used to look on in disbelief as Craig Gordon pulled off wonder saves at Sunderland.

And he reckons Celtic’s latest signing will push Fraser Forster all the way if he can rediscover that form.

Stokes was a team-mate of the former Scotland keeper at the English Premier League club and is delighted to see him at Parkhead.

He said: “He can be a great signing. Craig has gone through a difficult period with injury but if he can get back anywhere near his best, he will be a great addition.

“I remember him from Sunderland. He was a steady, top-class keeper but he always made world-class saves. That’s my main memory. He’d make saves that no other keeper I’d played against at that stage had ever done.

“He was in the Premier League and was exceptional. Hopefully he can come back and get his fitness right.”

“How good was he back then? Brilliant. Very, very good. But coming here he will have to be very good to get Fraser out of the team.

“Fraser is one of the best keepers around definitely one of the best I’ve played with. But, hopefully, Craig can get fit and make an impact on the squad.”

Stokes, meanwhile, is targeting the most-prolific season of his career at Celtic this season. The Republic of Ireland internationalist has never managed to break the 25-goal barrier.

He came within just two goals of that during his first campaign at Hibs and has twice hit 21 goals during his four-year spell at Celtic. But Stokes is aiming high under new boss Ronny Deila and wants to be topping the scoring charts.

He said: “This season I need to be aiming for 25-plus goals. I’ve always said that 20 is to be expected every season from a striker at Celtic. Barring the season I was injured, I’ve always been there or thereabouts that mark. But this year I need to push on.

“Last season, I was playing well at times and not scoring, but at the end of the day I want to bring as much as I can to the team. For me personally, goals are what drives me in games. It’s what I enjoy doing most and hopefully this season I can get 25-plus.”

Stokes managed to play his part in softening the blow of losing leading marksman Gary Hooper last season. And he now wants to take the responsibility for being the one to score the goals to secure silverware and deliver Champions League football.

He said: “There is always a burden. If you don’t score 20 goals, it’s been a disappointing season. But I want to improve. This season I should be pushing for 25-plus at least.

“I love scoring goals. It’s what I enjoy most. Last season I played well in a lot of games but wasn’t scoring goals. I was making an impact, though, and the gaffer took me aside and said to keep going.”