Celtic

Celtic warn Anthony Stokes of damaging club by attending memorial for Real IRA leader

Published: December 12 2012 | 12:40

Last updated: December 12 2012 | 15:41

Celtic manager Neil Lennon says that he has warned striker Anthony Stokes over his actions after he was pictured attending a memorial service for a murdered Real IRA leader in Dublin.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has confirmed that the club have had words with striker Anthony Stokes over his decision to attend the memorial service of a murdered leader of the Real IRA in Dublin.

The 24-year-old has been accused of damaging the reputation of the Scottish Premier League champions after he was pictured at an event paying respects to the life of Alan Ryan, who was killed in September.

Stokes took to his Twitter account and said: "Thinking of you Alan..."

When asked if the club had spoken to Stokes about his behaviour, The Telegraph quotes Lennon as saying: "Yes we have. We spoke to him internally. I am not going to moralise to him but you cannot damage the reputation of the club. He is aware of that now. It has been dealt with internally."

Stokes has been sidelined for the Scottish side since August due to an ankle injury.