STU-PENDOUS

Strachan rewards goal hero hero Armstrong goal Armstrong with World Cup qualifier crunch cap call-up

STUART ARMSTRONG has been rewarded for an impressive season by being called into the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.

Gordon Strachan unveiled his picks for the crunch tie later this month which will follow a friendly against Canada at Easter Road.

Armstrong netted Celtic’s only goal of the game as he bagged his 11th goal of the season.

The former Dundee United man has been revitalised under Brendan Rodgers and although he was forced off with a tight calf yesterday, there is believed to be no lingering injury issue.

And Strachan admitted in the aftermath of yesterday’s game that the 24-year-old is in his thoughts for the crunch clash against Slovenia.

“He has been playing very well. He is now playing in his best position. Before he played left side of midfield and he really wasn’t comfortable there. He has had five shots on target and that

has had five shots on target [against Rangers] and that is good going for a midfielder. Also I think he can run people to the ground. His strength and fitness are excellent.

“The two most impressive players I have seen over the past few months are Stuart and Tom Kearney at Fulham.

“It is just ironic that they play in the same position. But you want as many good players as you can get in the squad and Stuart comes into that category.”

Armstrong is one of six Celtic players in the Scotland squad as he is also joined by Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths.

Rangers’ only representative is captain Lee Wallace with Barrie McKay missing out. Scotland squad: Gordon, Marshall, McGregor, Berra, Hanley, Martin, Mulgrew, Robertson, Tierney, Wallace, Anya, Armstrong, Bannan, Brown, Burke, Cairney, Fletcher, Forrest, Fraser, McArthur, McGinn, Morrison, Phillips, Ritchie, Snodgrass, Fletcher, Griffiths, Martin, Naismith, Rhodes.