Pulling on that dark blue jersey would cap it all
Armstrong desperate to make his Scotland debut
STUART ARMSTRONG last night insisted it would be the proudest moment of his career if he finally makes his Scotland bow this week.
The Celtic midfielder celebrated his call-up to Gordon Strachan’s squad in fine style as he headed home his 12th goal of the season during the Hoops’ 2-1 win over Dundee.
Armstrong, who was superb on Tayside, admits he is now hoping to be given the nod at Easter Road on Wednesday and earn his first cap as Scotland take on Canada in a friendly before facing Slovenia in the crucial World Cup qualifier at Hampden on Sunday.
The 24-year-old was called into the national team set-up in May 2013 but didn’t feature and was then forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury in August 2015.
Armstrong admits he is excited at the prospect of donning the dark blue jersey.
He said: “Every player wants to represent their country and I’m sure it will be a special moment if I do pull on the jersey.
“I am very happy about it and my family are very proud.
“I will just be taking my Celtic form into training with Scotland.
“The last time I was called in was a while ago and I had to pull out with injury. That was a frustrating time and it has taken a while to get back in the squad.
“But that is in the past and this is now. Yeah, I am excited and looking forward to it.”
Having sampled the delights of Champions League football Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers reckons Armstrong is now ready and fully equipped to cope with the demands of playing internationals.
Armstrong also hailed his manager for keeping faith with him and switching him to his most
It’s taken a while to get back into the squad ... yeah, I am excited STUART ARMSTRONG
favoured and natural position in centre midfield.
And Armstrong believes he is now as ready as he ever been to play for Scotland.
He said: “Brendan has been a huge influence on me. At the start of the season I was in and out.
“I had targets and goals to work for in training and bringing that into the game.
“Moving inside to a central midfield position has been a huge benefit for me. It is more natural and where I feel that I am best. It is a combination of things –but there is no doubting the influence the gaffer has had.
“I ‘m a bit older now and more experienced, especially with the Champions League and with the pressure of that and accepting the pressures of winning every week with Celtic and being happy with that. “So it’s definitely been a learning season and European football has helped my development. “Playing Champions League was a great experience against top-quality players. “You learn a great deal from big occasions like that as well as playing in finals. It is definitely only going to stand you in good stead. “I’m probably in the best position I’ve been in with regards to experience in terms of my career.” Celtic’s victory on Tayside, which also saw Croatian stopper Jozo Simunovic open his account for the season, saw the Hoops clock up their 27th success in 29 Premiership games. Dundee hitman Faissal El Bakhtaoui’s 20-yard screamer reduced the arrears and made for a nervous last 15 minutes. But the Hoops held out to stretch their unbeaten run to an incredible 36 domestic matches.
Rodgers’s side also moved to within three points of lifting their sixth straight league title and will be crowned champions with a win against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday, April 2.
Armstrong insists the Hoops won’t allow themselves to think too far ahead which is a policy that has served the team well so far this season.
He added “It was important we get off to a good start in the game. It is always quite difficult when we play at Dens.
“We were patchy in parts but as the game went on we grew into it very well. We got a good goal at a really important time.
“When they scored it went a little bit nervy but we consolidated well and saw out the game terrifically.
“It is another step closer but we never like thinking too far into the future.
“We take each game as it comes and that has worked very well for us.”
And Armstrong insists he’s over the calf injury that saw him leave the field during last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Rangers.
He said: “It was only something minor, a slight cramp injury, it was fine.”