BURNER
Stu’s journey from Tartan Army and France glory night to starting place has taken 11 years but he’s ready for Slovenia cap debut
STUART ARMSTRONG was just a starry-eyed kid in the Hampden crowd as an entire nation rejoiced.
Now as a steely-eyed man on the pitch he wants to do his bit to bring delight back to a bedraggled Tartan Army and give Scotland’s World Cup 2018 bid a boost by helping sink Slovenia.
Armstrong is set to be thrust in for a senior debut at the most critical of times.
With the country’s qualification hopes hanging by the slimmest thread Gordon Strachan is poised to turn to the 24-year-old as the boss starts lobbing his final throws of the dice.
Armstrong has been there before in the heat of a massive qualifier.
Back then when Gary Caldwell’s strike sank France he looked on at just 13 years of age.
But the in-form Celtic star insists he’ll be ready to try to help the country recreate more of those feelgood vibes he experienced in the stands in 2006 when he steps on to the pitch into full glare at the National Stadium.
Armstrong said: “I had a few friends who went to the games and I went a couple of times.
“The one game that stands out is probably the France game when we won 1-0. Gary Caldwell scored from a corner.
“My friend’s dad took us down. I can’t remember how old I was then. Quite young.
“It was a nice one to go to. I had been before with my dad, who took me and my brother, but that one stands out.
“I like big atmospheres and big crowds and big expectations.
“It is always exciting but each game I go into I have the same level of motivation and determination to win.”
Armstrong has proven his suitability for the role on Sunday with a stunning season at club level.
Having struggled to fight his way into Brendan Rodgers’s side at the outset the midfielder has blossomed in the past five months with stand-out shows.
It was a strong sub appearance at Hampden against Rangers in the semi-final of the Betfred Cup that kickstarted his run of success and he hopes that might be an omen for the weekend having also won the trophy a month later against Aberdeen.
Armstrong said: “I like Hampden. The last time I played there we beat Aberdeen in the Cup which was a great day.
“I have good memories and it’s a great venue.
“I had a good impact in that Rangers game and played well. Since then I’ve had a decent run in the side. That has been a pivotal moment for me.”
So pivotal Strachan already appears to have pencilled him into the starting line-up.
Armstrong’s absence from the Canada clash in midweek suggests he’s been kept for Slovenia.
But he’s taking nothing for granted even though he has assured supporters he’ll be fully wound up to go and able to cope with the stresses of the occasion should he get the nod.
Armstrong said: “I don’t expect anything. That has been my philosophy this season, just to focus on each game in hand and not over-think things.
“Just take each day as it comes whether that be training or games. It has put me in a good position.
“There is always pressure in big games whether that be club football or international football. It is something I have become accustomed to over the years.
“When I was slightly more inexperienced and hadn’t had that exposure to high-pressure games I would maybe over-think things and dwell on certain aspects of games.
“But now I appreciate that games can’t be perfect all the time. You need to learn from the games and take what you can out of them.
“Mentally you need to be strong and not let things affect you, just focus on the positive.”
If he does play his part and earn a cherished cap, Armstrong will take time to look back and reflect on those who have helped him reach the pinnacle of the game.
He said: “It would be a proud moment for my family and previous coaches stretching all the way back to Dyce Boys’ Club, where I started out when I was 13. I was there for five years and had a lot of success.
“It’s something different that I have experienced from other boys who have been at professional clubs since they were young.
“I think Kieran Tierney joined Celtic when he was one, he has been there forever!
“I came into professional football when I was 17.
“I was involved with a few teams when I was 13-14. That died down and I moved to Inverness when I was 16 or 17.
“My family moved halfway through to Dundee and arranged for me to train with Dundee United during the week as Inverness was too far.
“At the end of the season Inverness got relegated and the Under-18 set-up was all over the place so my dad spoke to the coach at Dundee United and asked if I could have a trial.
“Then Stevie Campbell gave me a two-year deal.
“If I earn a cap it would be a proud day for a lot of people.”