BLACKBURN Rovers new boy Anthony Stokes has vowed to make an impact during his second spell in English football.

The 27-year-old started his career at Arsenal before moving to Sunderland where he was part of the squad which won promotion to the Premier League in 2007.

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But his greatest success has come north of the border where he has won seven domestic honours with Celtic and one with Hibs in the past seven years.

Stokes hit 76 goals in 191 games in Glasgow and 33 in 73 in Edinburgh and has no doubt he can transfer that prolific form to the newly named English Football League Championship.

The Republic of Ireland international said: “It’s been a long time, I’ve been up at Celtic for six years, and a year at Hibs before that, so I’m looking forward to coming back down and I think all the experience I’ve had will help me.

“I’m older now, and I think I’ve matured as a person and as a player, so I think I’ll be able to handle the environment a lot easier.

“If I get a good pre-season under my belt I can make an impact. That’s the plan. It’s easier said than done but I’m going to give it a right go.

“And I don’t see why I can’t do that. I’ve been in and around the Irish set-up, I’ve played against top players and with top players at Celtic, I believe in my own ability, and I think I’m a better and more experienced player now.

“I’ve no doubt if I get my preparation right, and get a good pre-season under my belt, then I can make a real impact this season.”

Stokes finished last season on a high as he produced a virtuoso two-goal, man-of-the-match performance to inspire Hibs to a historic 3-2 Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers.

The striker rejoined the Easter Road outfit on loan in January after falling out of favour with Celtic boss Ronny Deila and admits it took time for him to find his feet.

“It was tough for me last year as I was out for five or six months and when I went to Hibs it took me two or three months to get going,” said Stokes.

“But the five or six games leading up to the cup final were a lot better and I was confident going into the game I could perform.

“One thing I’ve never had an issue with is confidence or believing in my own ability.

“But this year, with a good pre-season under my belt, and with a lot of hard work put in, I’ll be ready to go for the start of the season.”

Stokes had his pick of clubs in the Championship as well as interest from abroad after leaving Celtic earlier this month.

But he shunned offers from elsewhere to sign a three-year contract at Ewood Park after talks with new Rovers boss Owen Coyle.

“He put me under a spell for half-an-hour to 45 minutes,” said Stokes. “He made up my mind for me.

“He was very positive about myself and, more importantly, how he sees the team playing and the style of football he wants to play.

“I took him on that and everything felt right to me.

“He told me the way he wants to play in the team and, if I can do half of what he thinks I can, we’ll have a good season!”

Stokes is Coyle’s first signing since taking over the Rovers reins and he is set to joined by at least three more new additions this week with Scotland Under-21 international left-back Stephen Hendrie poised to arrive on a season-long loan from West Ham United.