Armstrong won’t put up with negative thoughts
STUART ARMSTRONG is not one for looking at a glass and thinking it’s half empty.
The midfielder believes Scotland can still qualify for the European Championships through the group. To do that, either Russia or Belgium need to be beaten.
Armstrong is confident that this can be done. “I think it’s a pretty defeatist attitude to be thinking like that, when asked if he felt the group was over and the play-off is the team’s best chance,” he said.
“Certainly, that’s not the feeling within the group. We are all quite positive and the team is quite strong. We have all played with each other before and know each other so there is a good atmosphere.”
“I don’t think you can put a number on points. I think we need to, obviously, aim as high as possible. It also has to be focused on one game at a time and not dwell on the two games as a package.
“We have to just look at Friday first and foremost and make sure we put on a good performance and give ourselves the best chance of getting something out of it.” Armstrong has not enjoyed a great start to the season with Southampton, so he’s happy to be home.
He said: “There are still familiar faces so it’s a good blend of new techniques in the squad and a continuation of what we have been used to.
“When I was at Celtic you played with half the [Scotland] squad and then you played against the other half, with some of the lads coming from England.
“Now that I have gone away and come back it’s nice because you get that homely feeling. You see boys you were really close to before and catch up with them and look forward to being part of that.” ABERDEEN midfielder Lewis Ferguson praised team-mate and Scotland defender Scott McKenna for being an exemplary professional despite failing to win a move after he handed in a transfer request. And he believes Derek McInnes’ side have put down a statement of intent by refusing to sell him.
Ferguson is preparing to face San Marino tomorrow for Scotland Under-21’s opening Euro 2021 qualifier in Paisley, having established himself as a key man for both club and country.
His Pittodrie colleague McKenna remains with the northeast club after the end of another transfer window clouded by speculation linking him with moves down south and to Celtic.
McKenna is currently nursing a hamstring injury, but manager McInnes kept faith with the defender despite the noise surrounding his possible departure. And Ferguson was impressed with how McKenna handled the speculation.
He said: “He’s been different class for us. It’s a big boost for us that he’s staying because there was a lot of interest in him. He’s been playing week in, week out for Aberdeen and for Scotland so there was no doubt he would attract interest.
“It was up to him and the club. There was a transfer request, but you didn’t see that in his performances. Maybe if someone else put in a transfer request, their performances might have dipped, but he gave everything and that’s all we could have asked for.
“I think Scottish football has changed. It’s a bit more out there now. It’s a good statement from the club knocking big money back. It’s where we are and the club is going in the right direction.
“Scott’s a prime example of a pathway at the club that can lead to Scotland. He was playing with the 21s in the qualifiers last year and he started performing well for club and country and he ended up captaining Scotland. It shows you where hard work and dedication can take you. I’m just looking to follow in his footsteps.
“It’s good to hear recognition for my performances, but I don’t get too carried away. It wouldn’t change me if I did get a call-up for the senior team, but my focus is with the 21s this week and then Aberdeen.”
Ferguson has gone from being a top prospect to a mainstay for both Aberdeen and Scot Gemmill’s Under-21 side. And he’s pleased to accept the greater responsibility. He said: “Here, just about everyone is involved in first-team football. You do feel a bit of responsibility because of the amount of first team games I’ve had, but so have most of the boys.”