Ex-Celt Sid urges fans to lay off outgoing Armstrong
The former Hoops star made a similar move 19 years ago when he joined Sheffield Wednesday – and got dog’s abuse from a section of the support.
At that time, they couldn’t understand why a boyhood fan would want out.
But Donnelly believes Armstrong is di f ferent, having worked with the midfielder when he was assistant boss of Dundee United.
Instead of questioning him, Donnelly believes the Parkhead faithful should be THANKING him for his contribution to Brendan Rodgers’ double Treble in the last two years.
Armstrong is set to seal a £ 7million switch to Southampton after the clubs struck a deal last week.
Donnelly knows the Scotland ace will have been tempted to hang around for a crack at 10-in-a-row.
But he’s adamant that Armstrong shouldn’t be criticised for his ambition to play down south.
And Donnelly says if he excels at St Mary’s, the 26-year- old can go on to play for one of the Premier League big boys – just like Virgil Van Dijk did after leaving Celtic in 2015.
Donnelly said: “I left Celtic when I was 24 so I can’t pass judgment on Stuart’s choice. What he has contributed to the club has been phenomenal.
“He has been part of a Treble-winning team on two occasions.
“But now he has the opportunity to go and play in the Premier League and you can’t knock him for that.
“Of course, this is a really successful period for Celtic. They are three titles away from history.
“So most players would want to be part of that.
“But I can understand Stuart’s move. It’s a short career and he’ll be getting a good contract to play in the Premier League.
“I got it in the neck when I left Celtic because I only had six months on my contract to go.
“But I’d like to think this will be a bit more amicable than when I decided to leave the club.
“The fans have to look at what he has contributed. He has scored lots of goals, including ones against Rangers.
“He has turned up in big games and been a fantastic player for Celtic.
“When you compare Stuart to other footballers, he’s quite unusual. He has a law degree and is intelligent.
“He’s a quiet, unassuming lad who was brilliant to work with at Dundee United.
“I was delighted when he got the platform at Celtic to go and prove how good he is. But this is the next chapter for him and good luck to him.”
Even when Armstrong broke through as a youngster at Tannadice, Donnelly knew he was destined for a move to the Premier League.
There was interest in him from down south before Celtic snapped him up and Donnelly has no doubt he’ll be a success with Saints. That’s where Van Dijk went after leaving Celtic Park before earning a £75m move to Liverpool. Donnelly reckons Armstrong can do l i k ew i s e a n d said: “Of course Stuart is good enough for the Premier League.
“Even at Dundee United there was some interest from England and it’s because of the pace he has.
“If he gets beyond you in midfield nobody is catching him. That’s hugely important at that level.
“It’ll be a learning experience for Stuart at Southampton. When I moved to Sheffield Wednesday I went into a team that was really struggling in the Premier League when my own game suited attacking football.
“Southampton will be a big change from Celtic. But he’s good enough to go and handle the pressure there.
“Having that pace to burn is such a vital attribute.
“Look at Van Dijk, who went there then got his move to Liverpool. Andy Robertson went to Hull City.
“Stuart could take off in the same way. He’s 26 and not even at his peak yet.
“If Stuart goes there and has two good seasons, he could easily end up at one of the top six clubs.”
Armstrong’s departure leaves Rodgers with a big hole to fill in his squad but Donnelly says it should be a no-brainer when it comes to his replacement.
He wants the Celtic gaffer to snare John McGinn from Hibs and put him straight into the Hoops’ engine room alongside Scott Brown. Donnelly said: “Midfield is a strong area for Celtic but they will definitely replace Stuart.
“And I’d be very surprised if they didn’t go to Hibs for McGinn.
“I’ve said it for a while, he’s a Celtic player and he’s good enough to go straight into the team now.
“He would be an excellent signing for them because he gets about the park. I’m not sure he’s as quick as Stuart but he’s strong and he could learn under Brown.
“Broony can’t go on forever and in the meantime McGinn could train and play with him.
“It just seems to fit. I was surprised that Celtic didn’t go for McGinn in January which was good news for Hibs and Neil Lennon who was trying to keep his best players.
“But given everything that’s going on over on the other side of the city, I think Celtic will move now.
“They responded by signing Odsonne Edouard and they’ll do it again. I don’t think money is a problem for Celtic.”
Donnelly was speaking yesterday at the ‘ Live it for Lee’ event – an annual charity football match in memory of Lee Jamieson, who tragically lost his battle with leukaemia. Organised by Lee’s family, profits from the match will go to Bloodwise – a charity aimed at funding research into beating blood cancers.