Between the lines
Armstrong keen to lay down the law as one of Rodgers’ central cogs
HE’S a logical thinker, Stuart Armstrong. Rather has to be, given his pursuit of a law degree into a final year of building cases and assembling arguments.
If there’s a slight note of tension in his voice as he discusses his own footballing prospects for the season ahead, then, it’s entirely understandable.
He’s far too clever to pretend that the current surfeit of free-thinking, creative, attacking midfielders at Celtic is anything but a potential problem.
As Brendan Rodgers looks to craft a team in the swashbuckling image of his Swansea and Liverpool sides, he’ll need at least two or three bright sparks capable of playing — as the modern coaching manuals put it – ‘between the lines’.
But for the multitude of potential 10 or 11s who fit that bill currently on Celtic’s books, something has to give. Armstrong, who has looked comfortable enough in a wide-left role for a combined 90 minutes in Celtic’s first two matches of their pre-season tour, admitted: ‘It’s been tough at times with so many players in that area. You knew last season that if you put in a bad performance, you’d be out the team.
‘It’s difficult but that’s what happens at a big club and you need to manage that.
‘There are a lot of circumstances to take into consideration but competition is healthy. I have certainly learned a lot from last season and I will hopefully build on that next season.
‘The season was very up and down. I had a very good start, then had a bad injury with my back. That was frustrating and I never really got my consistency back after that.
‘I was in and out of the team but it was nice to finish with a goal against Motherwell (in the 7-0 home win to end the campaign). It was a nice way to end the season, playing the way I know I can. That’s the way I want to go into this season.
‘I think you do learn more when things aren’t going so well for you. It’s nice to win but, when you aren’t playing or are sitting on the bench, you have to re-evaluate what you have to do to get back in. You have to find new ways to react and develop.’
The back injury Armstrong suffered had only one cure, complete rest, which he admits to finding frustrating. Almost as maddening, you suspect, as being shoved into different starting positions simply because he can ‘do a job’ in more than one part of the pitch.
‘My versatility has maybe been a hindrance in the past when I have been asked to play somewhere else,’ admitted the former Scotland Under-21 captain. ‘Sometimes it can be a bit frustrating.
‘But if the manager thinks I can do a job on the left, I will do that. It is also a good thing to have when the manager sees you can play in different positions — left, right or in the middle.
‘It’s for the team ultimately and I’ll do whatever I can to help. I see my best position as attacking midfield with a bit of freedom.’
An attacking midfielder who likes to play off the cuff? Sounds like the perfect fit for new manager Rodgers, a man who has always prized creativity in his teams.
‘He does like attacking players,’ said Armstrong, adding by way of a caution: ‘But we have a lot of talent now.
‘The biggest thing for me is to get some consistency and, if I get a chance, take it.
‘It’s been refreshing under the new manager. The style has changed and we are getting used to the new regime.’
While everyone at Celtic will be focusing on the European Champions League qualifier next midweek, Armstrong has double the reasons to fret and stress over a major result this month, explaining: ‘I had an exam in the summer and I get the results on July 15. Yeah, it’s in the middle of the Champions League qualifiers.
‘I should have done a bit more studying but I was on holiday and crammed in a bit. I’m now going into my final year but I don’t think I will get a chance to do practical stuff.
‘It’s a busy schedule here. I’ll do next year, finish in June and then keep it in the back pocket.’