Anthony Stokes has set himself the twin targets of establishing himself as a Celtic starter and earning a Republic of Ireland recall.

The 25-year-old striker was frozen out by Giovanni Trapattoni after withdrawing from the squad for the Nations Cup in May 2011, reportedly due to tiredness and was never considered again for a game under the Italian.

But the veteran manager's exit this week could now open the door for Stokes (pictured) to return.

Former Hoops boss Martin O'Neill has been linked with the job as has Roy Keane, with whom the front man had a difficult relationship with at Sunderland. Asked if Trapattoni's exit was good news for him, Stokes said: "It might be, it might not be. It all depends on who gets the job.

"I can not really worry too much about that as I just have to concentrate on my form my club. If a new manager comes in and decides I am doing well enough then I will get the call-up.

"I just need to get myself in the Celtic team, hopefully do well. If I do that, I think I will give myself a good chance of being back in and around the squad. But that is completely out of my hands. It is down to whoever takes over."

And Stokes remained unrepentant at the way he found himself left out in the international wilderness by the Italian manager.

"I always thought that if I could have a good run of form with my club that the door should have been opened to me. I do not see why I was out of the selection plans, to be perfectly honest with you," he said

"I pulled out of a squad and I had my own reasons for that. Trapattoni was not exactly one you could pick up the phone and speak to. Listen, it is just the way it is. I have not been feeling too bad about it because I did not do too much wrong, to be honest.

"It would have been nice to have had a chat with him but that is football. Every manager is different. Some managers are approachable, some aren't and some have a good balance."

Despite the difficulties with Trapattoni, Stokes maintained that he never thought his international career was over.

He said:"I went out and played my club football and did as well as I possibly could. I was always hopeful that maybe it might come but my best chance now is with a new manager.

"I was at the stage with Trapattoni that it just was not going to happen."