Stokes: Hibs don't need duo

11 December 2009 15:28
Hibs were this week linked with a pre-contract move for Falkirk captain Barr, who manager John Hughes brought through during his time with the Bairns.[LNB]Hughes also oversaw the development of midfielder Arfield, who has previously been touted to follow his former boss to Easter Road.[LNB]Stokes played with both during a loan spell at Falkirk three years ago and rates them highly.[LNB]He said: "They're two top-class players and I think they'd improve any side they went into.[LNB]"But would they get a chance here if they came?[LNB]"Because you have to look at the squad we have.[LNB]"The midfielders we have are very good, I think the centre-halves we have have been tremendous this year.[LNB]"I think they'd be great for the squad but there'll still be a lot of competition because they'd have to be playing well week in, week out to get into this team at the minute."[LNB]He added: "Obviously, the gaffer's going to decide what he wants to do.[LNB]"Maybe he'll look at one or two in January but I'll be very surprised if they get the two of them to be honest with you."[LNB]So confident is summer signing Stokes in the quality of Hibs' squad, he recently claimed they could push the Old Firm all the way in the Scottish Premier League title race.[LNB]With the Edinburgh club just two points off the summit going into Saturday's trip to Kilmarnock following a 10-match unbeaten run in the league, his opinion has not changed.[LNB]But he knows the result at Rugby Park - where Celtic and Rangers win with metronomic regularity - will be a good indicator of Hibs' aspirations.[LNB]"If you're going to compete with the Old Firm, there's no point turning your home into a fortress and then going away and slipping up every second or third week," he said.[LNB]"It has to be a continuous, relentless, week-in, week-out sort of shift.[LNB]"We just have to keep working on grinding out results and playing football when we can."[LNB]The 21-year-old netted both goals in last weekend's 2-0 win at Motherwell but that did not stop Hughes suggesting the forward needed to improve his work-rate.[LNB]Stokes said: "I'll tell you what, I couldn't have done more running than I did on Saturday.[LNB]"I think I got my rewards for working hard because it's probably the hardest I've worked in any game this season."[LNB]He added: "I heard the manager of Motherwell saying we maybe didn't work as hard as other teams.[LNB]"I think after the game there we showed we work as hard as any team in this league.[LNB]"You only get luck by hard work."[LNB]Stokes goals last weekend took him level with Derek Riordan on six in all competitions as the pair vie to finish top scorer at the club this term.[LNB]He said: "Obviously, I'd love to be top goalscorer this year but it's not something that, when I go on the pitch, I think about too much.[LNB]"In every game, I want to score as many goals as possible but, personally, if someone's in a better position, I'd rather give it to them because, at the end of the day, it's about the team doing well."[LNB][LNB] Kilmarnock v Hibernian. Click here to bet.  

Source: Team_Talk