Armstrong powers a national upsurge
STUART Armstrong could well be viewed as the perfect poster boy for the resurgence of Scottish hope. As yet untainted by defeat, the 25-year-old has been a transformative presence over the course of his first four caps.
‘I think it’s just a coincidence,’ laughed Armstrong, when the upswing in results was put to him. But let’s put aside bashfulness and concentrate on the facts.
The recent spike in the graph of Scotland’s course through Group F of the World Cup qualifiers does indeed coincide with Armstrong’s introduction.
Man of the match on his debut against Slovenia in March, the Celtic midfielder’s impact was instant. It was his defenceevading run and nimbly-weighted pass that created Chris Martin’s late winner. Armstrong’s dynamism set in motion a sequence of 10 points from the last 12 available.
It is true that he was then one of a number of players culpable for Harry Kane’s injury-time equaliser in the following match.
Conceding possession with a misplaced pass in midfield began the decisive English attack.
Armstrong, though, quickly made his narrative positive again. A first international goal was accompanied by a forceful display in last Friday evening’s 3-0 win in Lithuania. Similar influence was exerted in the more mundane dismissal of Malta that left Gordon Strachan’s side six points from securing second place.
Scotland will rely strongly on Armstrong’s input in pursuit of that aim. He would seem unlikely to be cowed by the weight of that responsibility.
Yes, the visit of Slovakia to Hampden on October 5 has now assumed monumental proportions. It will be an evening in which mentality, technique and discipline are tested to the full. But then, a similar description could be attached to the Champions League.
Armstrong and his five Celtic colleagues from the Malta line-up will have played two games in Group B of Europe’s elite competition — against Paris SaintGermain and Anderlecht — by the time they next gather at Mar Hall. Sharpness of mind and body will not be an issue.
As strong as Slovakia may be, facing them is a somewhat less daunting prospect when you’ve had to try to pin down Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Angel de Maria and Marco Verratti.
‘It always helps,’ said Armstrong of the education the Champions League provides. ‘There are a lot of games between now and Christmas.
‘Having the Champions League is a big boost for the Celtic boys. If you speak to any of us, we’re all thrilled about it and looking forward to it.
‘You are getting a chance to play against the best players in the world and that can only improve you.
‘Club and country are different styles. Different atmospheres, different entirely. But of course it always helps if individual players are doing well at their clubs.
‘It can help being in the Champions League when you’re playing important international games, but we’ve also got players who’ve played in the Premier League at some of the biggest stadiums in the world.
‘I think everyone in there has got the experience and the knowhow to deal with these games.’
Scotland may well owe a debt of thanks to Brendan Rodgers should a seemingly unlikely revival end up with a play-off for a place in Russia 2018. In Armstrong alone, the Celtic manager has remodelled and improved a player with abundant natural gifts.
There is more, though. The entire Parkhead contingent — Armstrong, Scott Brown, Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Leigh Griffiths and James Forrest — share a belief which comes from remaining unbeaten in domestic competition since Rodgers’ arrival.
That is allied to a greater understanding of tactical demands, and an individual flexibility within those team shapes.
‘I think it helps in a way that you know where everybody’s going to be and what everyone is going to do, the way we press and move the ball,’ said Armstong, assessing Scotland’s Celtic connection.
‘For me personally, having Broony alongside me is something I’ve got used to over the past season. We’ve got a good blend. But as a whole we’re in a really good place, with really good players. The confidence is high.’
Brown successfully walked a suspension tightrope against Talisman: Stuart Armstrong is a lucky charm for Scotland and his introduction has only improved their prospects of qualifying for the World Cup Malta despite no little provocation. The Scotland captain was incensed by Steve Borg spitting at him, with the Maltese defender’s raised hand of apology not enough to prevent him being branded a ‘horrible b ***** d’.
‘It was just another 90 minutes for Broony,’ added Armstrong. ‘Someone like him is indispensable to any team. He’s a great leader, a great captain, he leads by example, so it’s always nice to have him on the pitch. Of course we want him to be there for the two games we have left.
‘It’s all we could’ve asked for, to be in this position. It was good to win the two games with two good performances — especially the first game against Lithuania.
‘Every player wants to play for their country. To do that and be part of a winning Scotland team is a great feeling. I’m proud to be part of it.
‘Over the last four games it’s been brilliant. We’re in a really good position to go and do something and we’ll look forward to the last two games. I suppose we can only focus on ourselves and if we win the last two we’re definitely up there. That is our aim.’
There is, of course, another Champions League participant within the Scotland side who isn’t employed at Parkhead.
Armstrong watched Andrew Robertson flourish as a team-mate at Dundee United before the left-back moved to Hull City.
An £8million summer switch to Liverpool has now elevated Robertson into the upper echelons of the English game.
‘Andy is the type of player who would be the same if he was playing at Anfield or down the park with his mates, nothing fazes him,’ smiled Armstrong.
‘I was lucky enough to play with him at Dundee United and he is still the same now. He is still that attacking threat. He created a number of chances on Monday night and scored a lovely goal last Friday in Lithuania, so we’re lucky that he’s Scottish.’
People might well be saying the same of Armstrong if he can continue his upbeat Scotland story through another couple of caps.