The Irishman was the second Celtic player in three days to be gagged at a press conference by the club from answering questions about alleged pro-IRA chanting at Parkhead.

Celtic are currently being investigated by both UEFA and the Scottish Premier League over the behaviour of a section of their support during matches against Rennes and Hibernian respectively.

Striker Gary Hooper was whisked out of the Lennoxtown media room on Tuesday when the issue was raised.

And before today's press conference at Lennoxtown to promote Celtic's visit to Inverness on Saturday, which is to be televised live on ESPN, the media were again warned not to ask about UEFA or chanting.

Stokes, though, responded when asked about FIFA president Sepp Blatter's controversial claim that racism in football does not exist, and that any racist problems that emerge during a game could be resolved by a handshake.

The former Sunderland player, 23, was initially reluctant to discuss the matter, saying, "It's nothing to do with me. I will let him speak about that".

But he then added: "Every ground you go to you are going to get a little bit of abuse. As for the racist chants, I haven't heard much of that up here.

"But you know there are certain grounds you go to that you are going to get a bit of stick but that is part and parcel of football.

"Obviously when it comes down to racism and sectarianism, there is no place for it in football, but you are not going to stop fans giving you a bit here and there when you go to grounds."

Stokes is the form striker at Celtic at the moment but had to watch from afar as Republic of Ireland confirmed their qualification for next summer's European Championship on Tuesday night with a 1-1 home draw with Estonia, which took them through the play-offs 5-1 on aggregate.

The former Hibernian player upset coach Giovanni Trappatoni in May when he withdrew from the squad for the Carling Nations Cup matches against Northern Ireland and Scotland and the friendly against Italy, although the player later denied saying it was because he was too tired.

He was not included in the squad for the double-header against Estonia and admits he will now struggle to get back in for next summer.

"That's out of my hands," he said. "I just want to play as well as I can and give myself the best chance.

"If I am scoring goals and playing week-in, week-out, there is not a lot else I can do.

"A season or two ago I wasn't playing and Trappatoni still picked me but the lads in the squad are doing well so I can't have any complaints really.

"I would love to be (included) but I just have to focus on my club form and do as well as I possibly can.

"The ball is in his court and I can't do much more than I'm doing at the minute."

On Saturday, Celtic return to Inverness, the venue where their 3-2 defeat last May probably cost them the title.

Stokes admits that the shock result, which left Rangers one point ahead with three games remaining with the Ibrox club going on to retain their title, took time to erase from his memory.

"It is not easy to forget about," he said. "There were only a few games left and had we won that game we would have gone on to win the title but we can't dwell on that now.

"We were very disappointed at the end of last season but it's gone now.

"We have to focus on this game and I'm sure we have learned from the experience.

"We are looking forward to it now, we hit a bit of form before the international break and we will go into the game with a positive mindset."