Armstrong seeks to build on a fast start
WHEN Gordon Strachan needed to turn around Scotland’s last, ailing, qualification campaign, he sent for Stuart Armstrong. The debutant obliged, providing impetus and drive from the middle of the park to set up a late Chris Martin winner against Slovenia in March 2017. With Armstrong prominent, Scotland remained unbeaten for the rest of the campaign but a draw against the same opposition in Ljubljana on the final day proved insufficient to earn a play-off spot. In truth, the damage had been done much earlier — not least through the five points lost in a double-header against Lithuania and Slovakia. That’s why Armstrong believes it’s vital Alex McLeish’s side capitalise on a positive start to the UEFA Nations League. Monday’s 2-0 win over Albania has made the Scots favourites to top Group C1 and enter a play-off for a spot at Euro 2020. With only two matches against Israel and a return fixture with the Albanians in November, Scotland have a real chance to enhance their prospects ahead of next year’s traditional qualifiers.
‘There are only three teams in our little group, so you would have to think it gives us a really good chance,’ says Armstrong, who made a big impact as a substitute at Hampden.
‘You don’t want to write off what can happen in the later qualifiers but it’s a great chance to get off to a really good start and get that play-off spot.
‘When you are trying to grab points at the end of a campaign it’s difficult, especially when you are relying on other teams.
‘It’s nice to take matters into your own hands and get three points early doors. The Nations League gives us two bites at the cherry, which is very good.’