Speaking to Sky Sports, new Blackburn Rovers striker Anthony Stokes says Owen Coyle was the reason he signed for the club.
This weekend, the free agent signed a contract at Ewood Park after leaving Celtic. Several clubs tried to sign him, but Blackburn won the race to snap him up.
He ended last season on loan at Hibs, where he won the Scottish Cup trophy. 27-year-old Stokes says that he is joining a ‘massive club’ and that Owen Coyle is the perfect manager for him to play for,
“I said before, you get a feeling for surroundings, and I want to play for a manager that believes in me and gives you that bit of confidence.
“After I had a chat with him for half an hour to forty-five minutes, it was the right place for me.
“I think it is the facilities as well. You look around the place at the stadium. It’s a massive club. Hopefully we can produce the good this year on the pitch and have a successful season.”
Coyle is back in management after a spell in Major League Soccer. He says Stokes has all the attributes that he looks for in a player,
“I’ve always liked his quality of play. I’ve watched him for many, many years. He started at Arsenal and then the whole of Britain wanted to sign him because of his huge pedigree. Glasgow Celtic bought him for over a million pounds and he was outstanding for Glasgow Celtic.
“Having watched over the years and then all of a sudden he becomes available. We did everything in our power to bring him to Blackburn Rovers. Huge competition for his signature but we’re delighted to get him here. He is a wonderful goalscorer. He’s got a little edge to him which I like. I think he’s got a point to prove. He wants to show everyone in England how good a player he is.”
Stokes has general scored goals in Scottish football. He’ll be hoping to fire the goals needed to get Blackburn in the promotion race.
