ARMSTRONG SHARED IN TARTAN ARMY’S TORMENT

STUART ARMSTRONG has revealed how he went through as much torture as any panic-stricken Tartan Army regular during the nerve-shredding closing moments of Scotland’s breakthrough win over Israel. The Southampton midfielder, subbed late on as Alex McLeish’s men held on for a 3-2 triumph that secured a place in the Euro 2020 play-offs, spoke with genuine emotion about the patriotic pride that motivated a squad crippled by injuries and call-offs. And, despite putting in a typically tireless 75-minute shift on the Hampden pitch, he admitted: ‘By far the hardest part of Tuesday night was sitting and watching those final few minutes. ‘I was sat next to Ryan Christie and he’ll tell you I was not enjoying it for one minute. ‘I turned into a fan, I think, at the end. But credit to the boys for staying more composed than I was on the bench. ‘You know, we’re players first and foremost. But we play because we love football. ‘That’s why we played when we were young boys, the same as everyone else. ‘We want the country to do well, we always have done, and we want to give something back to the fans. ‘This is why you play football. You want to play, especially for your country. ‘To represent Scotland, especially at Hampden, is just a fantastic experience.’ Armstrong’s talk of devotion to the cause comes at a time when questions have been raised about certain players’ interest in pulling on the dark blue jersey. Addressing the squad withdrawals and air of unease leading up to the clinching wins over Albania away and then Israel at home, the former Celtic midfielder said: ‘I think there was a lot of negativity, especially surrounding the call-offs at the start of the international week. ‘But that’s going on outside the group and is not necessarily a fair reflection of what was happening on the inside. ‘You’ve got a group of boys here who have played together a number of times. ‘Everyone knows each other, everyone likes each other. And that sometimes means a lot in football. ‘It’s not easy for the manager, especially when you have so many injuries. That’s something you can’t control. ‘But the replacements did their job — and the unity and togetherness have been excellent. ‘There is a real togetherness about this group. And it’s a fantastic result for the country. ‘For a number of years now, we’ve been close (to qualifying for a finals). ‘But to get a play-off spot is a good bit of progress for us, definitely.’