Stuart’s delight at finally being given centre stage

ASIDE from his natural manner and intelligence, pursuing a law degree has given Stuart Armstrong a careful way with words.

He was not about to incriminate Ronny Deila by name when he reflected on the difficulties he endured last season. The 24-year-old isn’t one to point fingers in public. He can treat questions from journalists with caution befitting a courtroom.

Armstrong was, though, still forthcoming on how much happier he felt now that Brendan Rodgers had restored him to a central role.

Being pitched out on the left wing, as he often was under Deila, never felt natural. It isn’t where his talents are best deployed. Inevitably, his performance levels suffered. In turn, so did the perception of his worth held by Celtic supporters.

After a period of assessment and some honest discussions, Rodgers has provided a fresh start. He clearly values Armstrong’s influence at the heart of his midfield operation.

The former Dundee United man supplanted Nir Bitton to make his first Champions League start in Tuesday evening’s 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach, following on from similar appearances against Ross County and Aberdeen.

‘That was a developing frustration for me last season, playing on the left,’ admitted Armstrong.

‘But this season under the new gaffer, and after initially starting off on the left, we had conversations that left a clear picture in my mind and his mind that my best position is in the middle.

‘I think it was a conversation where we both expressed different things and I expressed that my desire was to play in the middle.

‘I’d had enough of the left and I would like the chance to stake my claim for the middle. I’ve been working hard ever since to try to force my way in.

‘There’s always uncertainty when somebody new comes in, whether you will adapt into their plans, but it’s obviously very nice to hear he likes the way I play. If I can adapt into his style and help the team, then that’s very good for me.

‘I see my season so far as one of a learning curve, working hard in training to try to force my way in.

‘Obviously, playing in the middle is a lot more comfortable for me. That’s where I feel I’m at my best and it’s good to know that, when I do play, I will be playing in there. That gives me confidence.’

Pressed on how deep his frustration became on being pushed out on the flank by Deila, Armstrong added: ‘I was playing and that was the most important thing, but I knew I could play a lot better in the middle.

‘But I think he (Deila) liked other individuals better in the middle, I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about it too much. It’s gone, it’s finished.

‘There were a lot of elements of frustration that came with playing on the left-hand side. Obviously, you are judged in every single game and on a bigger scale here. If your performances aren’t up to scratch, you know about it. It was a frustrating time playing on the left-hand side. But that has gone.

‘This season, I am playing in the middle and it is up to me to prove to myself and to the manager that I am good enough to be in there.’

For all his exasperation at being denied a run in the position where he made his name at Tannadice, Armstrong is emphatic that he never considered seeking a move away from Parkhead.

‘No,’ he insisted. ‘I wanted to play in central midfield and I wanted to play here.’

A visit from Inverness today provides Celtic with a chance of retribution against the only Scottish side to have denied them three points so far this season.

While that 2-2 draw in the Highlands still rankles with Rodgers given their dominance on the day, domestic supremacy appears all but assured.

It is in Europe that the greater challenges lie. The point in Germany maintained hope of Europa League football after Christmas. But victory over either Barcelona or Manchester City — two of the five leaders in the bookmakers’ market to win the Champions League outright — will still be required from their closing Group C fixtures.

‘It was a nice experience to play from the start against a good side,’ said Armstrong, reflecting on the game against Borussia.

‘Our performance was much better than the home one and I would like the opportunity to play in more.

‘It’s different with the European teams’ style of play. They like possession football and so do we. The likelihood is that if you give the ball away, they are more likely to punish you than domestically, with all due respect. They have quality all over the field.

‘I don’t think our belief ever faltered, even after the 2-0 home defeat to Borussia, which was disappointing.

‘That was our chance to get three points and, on Tuesday night, we would have looked to take more from it. We approach every game with confidence and with belief we can do it.

‘You always want to challenge yourself against the best and we certainly have a lot of the best players in our Champions League group. That’s why it has been great.

‘We want to pick up points and we had a very good result against Manchester City but, in that home game (against Borussia) and on Tuesday night, we could have maybe taken a bit more. ‘Can we beat Barcelona? Of course we can. We have done it in the past.’