Post by Admin on Sept 22, 2011 19:09:13 GMT
Stokes looking to apply pressure
Thu, 22 Sep 17:48:00 2011
Anthony Stokes believes the Rangers' shock Scottish Communities League Cup exit to First Division Falkirk on Wednesday could have a positive impact on Celtic's title hopes.
The Ibrox side went into the third-round tie against the Bairns on a high after their convincing 4-2 win in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox, which took them four points clear at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Conversely, Neil Lennon and his players had been criticised for their performance in Govan and were under pressure to overcome Ross County in Dingwall, which they did with a degree of comfort in a 2-0 win, before hearing of Rangers` defeat.
Stokes, speaking on Thursday at the Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-final draw, where the Parkhead club were paired with Hibernian, acknowledged the Old Firm maxim that both clubs are judged on a game-by-game basis.
He said: "They are still in a good position in the league but obviously that breaks their momentum a little bit so, for us, we are just looking to get on a good run of form now.
"If we go out at the weekend and get a result and Rangers slip up then the pressure will be right back on them.
"It's a week to week thing but we just have to be patient about it. There is plenty of time left in the season and if we go on a good run of form and keep winning games we will be fine."
The Irishman added: "The gaffer was disappointed after the weekend to say the least but we have to forget about it.
"They are always the biggest games of the year and you understand the fans being disappointed and we are the same.
"We just didn't perform on the day but we did the best thing possible which is to bounce back well. Last night [Thursday] was a big result for us, it gets us back on track."