ARMSTRONG HAILS CELTIC BOSS FOR HIS CALL-UP
STUART ARMSTONG has hailed Brendan Rodgers for breathing new life into his Celtic career and helping him get closer to achieving his dream of representing Scotland. The uncapped 24-year-old was this week rewarded for his fine form when he was named in Gordon Strachan’s squad for the friendly against Canada at Easter Road followed by the World Cup qualifier with Slovenia at Hampden four days later. Former Scotland Under-21 captain Armstrong has been called up twice before but has yet to make his senior debut. After taking his goalscoring tally to the season to 11 by scoring in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Rangers, he was delighted to find out he had made the 30-man squad. And he made a point of thanking his club boss for an early-season pep-talk — and for moving him from out wide to his favoured central midfield position. ‘I owe the manager a lot for reigniting my career at Celtic,’ said Armstrong. ‘We had an initial conversation at the start of the season about how he wanted me to go about my business. That really spurred me on and gave me a great platform and opportunity to work my way into the side and play in my favoured position. ‘I had been named in the Scotland squad a couple of times, first at Dundee United and then at the start of my first full season at Celtic. But I got an injury, so that was a bit of a disappointing time. It was a bit up and down after that but since the gaffer has come in he has revitalised my career. ‘He moved me into the middle and I have built on that, working very hard in training and contributing in games with goals and assists. ‘It’s been a good season of progress so it’s been very nice to be rewarded with a Scotland call-up.’ Armstrong first heard the news when his phone started to beep with messages from family and friends, including ex-United team-mate and Scotland regular Andrew Robertson. Now he is looking to join up with a squad including Celtic team-mates Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths. ‘It’s a proud moment for me and my family,’ Armstrong told www.celticfc.net.