Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Stu pleased with improving Celts
STUART Armstrong has taken positives from the experience gained in Celtic’s Champions League campaign which effectively ended in the 2-0 defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday.
The loss at Parkhead kept them bottom of Group C and means they are out of Europe altogether with only the final fixture away to Manchester City remaining.
However, the 24-year-old midfielder was pleased with the i mprovement made since the 7-0 defeat in the Nou Camp in September, with notable draws against both City and Borussia Monchengladbach, as he looked forward to Hampden Park and the Betfred Cup final against Aberdeen on Sunday.
“We were focused on giving a better account of ourselves than in the away tie,” said the ex-Dundee United player.
“We did that in parts, so there are definitely some positives t o take from Wednesday night and some confidence to take into the weekend.
“We learned to compete with the best and how to overcome different situations against top quality players.
“The games against Manchester City at home and Gladbach away were very good performances. They are perhaps ties we would have taken more from and that is definitely pleasing, to play against these top quality teams and come away with that feeling afterwards.”
Armstrong refused to talk about the prospect of a domestic treble this season but is looking to capture the first trophy available this season when Celtic play Aberdeen at Hampden.
He said: “I am very excited about it, the first final to be involved in with Celtic so it’s the first chance to get a bit of silverware.”