I don’t miss the Scottish game. I had my time here

SAYS STUART ARMSTRONG

STUART ARMSTRONG insists he does not miss Scottish football despite enduring a slow start to his career down in England. The Scotland midfielder made a £7million summer switch from Celtic to English Premier League side Southampton on a four-year deal. But the 26-year-old has been a peripheral figure at St Mary’s so far. He has made only three starts for the Saints, including Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Watford that left Mark Hughes’ side in 17th place — just one position above the relegation zone. However, while admitting he is still adapting to the English top flight, he has no regrets about making the move. ‘I wouldn’t say I miss Scottish football,’ he said. ‘I had my time here. I was very grateful for it and I have a lot of nice memories. ‘That feeling of breaking through at Dundee United as a young player and that experience of first-team football was incredible. It’s something that you dream about when you are younger. ‘Playing regularly for Dundee United and that move to Celtic to play for — in my view — the best team in Scotland, and to experience success there and to make history (winning the double Treble) was something I’ll never forget. ‘But I wanted something new. A new challenge, and if I had not taken that opportunity I think I would’ve regretted it. ‘It’s always hard when you’re not playing games, starting games especially, because nobody likes sitting on the bench. ‘I’m not the most patient but I need to learn to adapt. I’m in a different league. I spent eight years in the Scottish Premiership, so moving leagues and environments was always going to be a change. ‘But I have enjoyed it. I have enjoyed the challenge which was one of the main reasons behind the move. ‘So I wouldn’t say I miss Scottish football. ‘I miss the boys — and when I come back to the national team it’s great to see them.’ At Celtic, Armstrong won four league titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups. But he admits he is fulfilling a boyhood wish by playing in the English Premier League. However, he does not believe that every player at the top end of Scottish football should be viewing a move down south as a natural progression for their careers. He said: ‘The English Premier League was something I dreamed about as a young player. ‘I grew up watching a lot of Premier League games and going down with my dad and brother to watch matches and wanting to be a part of it. ‘I would say it is a different type of challenge (to Scottish football). ‘But I think each individual is different. They will have their own desires and they will want to have their own experiences. ‘If I had stayed at Celtic and continued to have success there. I would have viewed my career — when it finished — as a very good and very successful one.’ Despite his relative lack of game time at club level, Armstrong is hoping to be named in Alex McLeish’s starting line-up to face Albania on Saturday night. Scotland face a tense finish in the UEFA Nations League but Armstrong is confident of finishing top of the group and making it into the play-offs for Euro 2020. He said: ‘We certainly have the belief. The performance last time out (in Israel) was not great and everyone knows that. ‘So it’s up to us to turn that around and put in a good showing on Saturday.’