TEN OUT OF TEN
Rodgers: Why we went up a gear when we were down a man at Accies
STUART ARMSTRONG has been in awe of Celtic captain Scott Brown for two years.
This time though it was a role reversal and the skipper’s turn to stand open mouthed and gawp in amazement.
Armstrong left Brown speechless with his incredible weekend strike.
The thunderbolt from 30 yards at New Douglas Park ensured Celtic made it 22 games unbeaten domestically under Brendan Rodgers and also brought gasps from team-mates and fans alike.
Brown could hardly believe his eyes, and even asked his pal if everything was okay healthwise.
Amstrong laughed: “What did he say after the goal? He said: ‘Are you feeling all right?’ Broony is the controller in there. His experience is invaluable to me and whoever is playing alongside us.
“His dedication and hard work has been incredible. It’s something I’ve been in awe of since I came here, the work he does both in games and training. To have him play alongside you is incredible.
“I was really happy with that goal but more than anything I was happy to contribute for the team. It was another really good victory.”
Not that anyone should have been surprised by the piece of Armstrong magic. For two months now, the former Dundee United player has been turning in sensational displays to cement his position as a fixture in the team.
After crucial counters in wins at Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Partick, Armstrong’s effort was the fourth-successive away match where he had made a scoring contribution.
The subject of making it five away games in a row at Ibrox against Rangers on Saturday was quickly batted away with the usual one-game-at-a-time response.
Armstrong was right to stay focused on the immediate job in hand, Ross County on Wednesday night, but also right to be pleased with the way he is now justifying the faith of his manager.
Rodgers spotted early doors the central-midfielder in Armstrong, something which eluded Ronny Deila. From that point though it was up to the player.
The boss wasn’t going to just hand him a jersey. The 24-year-old was going to have to earn it. But the motivation was obvious as Armstrong said: “It was important to hear the manager say it.
“My first 18 months at the club were spent with a majority of it on the left-hand side. That was okay, I wanted to play and get into the team. But ultimately I wanted to get into the middle and that was my ambition.
“It’s where I felt I could be best for the team and there was a slight frustration building when those opportunities were not coming.
“First and foremost I want to play and will do so wherever a manager wants me to play. But I had a good conversation with the gaffer at the beginning of the season and we came to the conclusion that the middle was my best position. Then it was up to me to prove that I could play there.
“For him to show the faith in me to do that gave me something to work towards and it’s something I really enjoy doing.
“We have a manager who will give you opportunities if you are willing to work. It was then up to me in that respect and you have to take your chance when you get it.”
Armstrong has done just that and the goals are flowing along with the displays.
The midfielder said: “Confidence has a big part to play in any footballer’s make-up and the mental side is huge.
“That helps me and being involved in a winning team and playing in the central area which I prefer is helping.
“That’s what I enjoy most. It gives me opportunities to get into scoring positions. Goals are always something you want to add to your game. In my last 18 months at Dundee United I was scoring on a regular basis and it is something I wanted to continue at Celtic.
“It was a slight disappointment that initially I wasn’t able to do that. But positionally, being in the
middle, it lets me get into more natural goalscoring positions without overthinking it.
“That’s big for me and helps me to score. It would be nice to keep the goalscoring run going. In every single game I want to be in a position to add that.”
As well as Armstrong there have been goals everywhere for Celtic this term with 50 smacked in already. The records keep tumbling but the focus and drive stays solid.
Even with 10 men for almost a half after Callum McGregor’s red card at Hamilton, the champions strolled it.
Armstrong said: “What happened shows our versatility and how strong we are as a group, in the sense that we probably had more opportunities when we went down to 10 men than we had with 11 men on the pitch. That makes it pleasing because the aim was to win as usual and, through a busy December, we’ve done it again.
“We all believe in what the manager wants us to do and we believe in how he wants us to work.
“That’s an important part. Pulling in the same direction and it’s very much an enjoyable team atmosphere and team vibe. We always focus on ourselves and how we can improve.
“Take one match at a time and not focus on what is being said about us, more about how we focus for the next game.
“Our aim is to be relentless in the league but we don’t get ahead of ourselves. That’s the way we work.”