Old Firm goal was spark for Armstrong

FOR Stuart Armstrong, a nomination this week for PFA Scotland’s Player of the Year caps the season of his wildest dreams.

Just 12 months ago, the Celtic midfielder was out of position, out of sorts and often out of favour in a faintly nightmarish spell at Parkhead.

Stuck playing out wide under Ronny Deila, the 25-year-old cut a frustrated figure until the arrival of Brendan Rodgers last summer brought around a stunning change in his fortunes.

Of the 14 goals the former Dundee United player has notched across a remarkable campaign, though, none were more important than his very first.

That came back in September, when he came off the bench to round off the scoring in a 5-1 Old Firm demolition of Rangers at Celtic Park.

After catching Rodgers’ eye in such stunning fashion, Armstrong has not looked back, going on to become one of the first names on the Celtic teamsheet and excelling on his full Scotland debut against Slovenia in March.

And while Celtic fans may still be revelling in last weekend’s historic 5-1 derby win at Ibrox, Armstrong still looks back on that first Old Firm match of the season as a turning point in his Parkhead career.

‘It was a fresh start when the new manager came in last summer and a fresh chance to impress,’ said Armstrong, who is joined on the PFA Scotland shortlist by team-mates Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair, and Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes.

‘Last season, I was being judged on being a left winger.

‘That was slightly frustrating for me because I knew it was not my best position.

‘I am a lot better playing through the middle and, when I got my chance in my favoured position, I’m glad I took it.

‘It was definitely a big moment coming on and scoring in that first match against Rangers.

‘It was important for my confidence because it was my first goal of the season and to get it in such a big game was a bonus.

‘We’ve since gone on and had a very good season. We’ve won the league, we’ve won the League Cup and we have a Scottish Cup final to look forward to.

‘There’s been a lot of success associated with the team this season and being nominated for Player of the Year by my fellow professionals is a nice little bonus to round the campaign off. It’s nice to be on there with the rest of the boys.’

Such is the alchemy that Rodgers has worked in the east end of Glasgow that seven of the team that flopped under Deila in last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Rangers featured in last weekend’s 5-1 hammering of the Ibrox club.

‘The difference between now and then is astonishing? Yes, and I think a lot of that is to do with Brendan Rodgers and the way he works,’ said Armstrong.

‘Everyone can see the big influence he has had on the team. But it’s not just on me. Tom Rogic had a very good season last season but, even despite his injury this season, he has had another terrific campaign.

‘James Forrest has had a great season, Scott Brown too, and Dedryck Boyata was out the team for a while and the work he put in to get back into the side was admirable.

‘Have we been relentless as a team? That’s been our attitude under the manager since day one and I still feel we are as hungry as ever.

‘The league may be tied up but nobody could question our desire to win any game.’

Armstrong cites captain Brown as Celtic’s inspiration and he shares boss Rodgers’ surprise that the 31-year-old was not nominated for Player of the Year.

‘I am surprised Scott is not on the list because he has been terrific,’ said Armstrong.

‘Ever since I’ve been at Celtic, he has been great — but this season he has been really exceptional. He’s been an ever-present force for us in the middle of the park. He’s influential in every game.

‘He’s been a real driving force for us and he epitomises Celtic in a lot of ways. He works so hard in every game and every training session.

‘When I first joined Celtic, I noticed straight away that he trains the way he plays. And that was something that I aspired to do, as well.

‘Sometimes Scott’s work can get overlooked but he is so vital to our squad. His importance to our team cannot be understated.’

“We are still hungry to win every game”