Stuart Armstrong

Armstrong the right back, who knew? Man of the match fully deserved

 

Sensational today, his work rate was fantastic. Fully deserved his MOTM.

 

The manager described Stuart Armstrong as 'the blond Cafu' for his Man of the Match performance in an unfamiliar right-back role.


BR: I thought Stu was brilliant. He adapted well, there was no drama & I thought he played the position really well and should have scored.

 

Aye fully deserved MOTM. Just think what a player he'd be if he could finish.

'The blonde Cafu' Great to know we have cover for Lustig who I hope isn't out for long though.

 

You might be right.
Would allow us to accommodate other players in midfield too. Griffiths can play on the wings as well.

 

Outstanding display. Deserves every bit of praise he's getting..

Ran constantly all day, good quality until his final shot's/header and defensively more aggressive than I've ever seen him..

His non stop box to box running is certainly at worst, useful for us..

Been a big surprise for me lately..

Well done son..

 

BRENDAN Rodgers praised Stuart Armstrong for his Man of the Match performance against Inverness Caley Thistle side this afternoon, calling him the ‘blond Cafu’ for his display at right-back.

Armstrong was switched to that defensive role after Mikael Lustig was forced off with an injury after just 14 minutes.

Celtic had started the game with a back three of Lustig, Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko, but Emilio Izaguirre’s introduction saw Armstrong slot into the right-back role. And the 24-year-old played a starring role in the 3-0 victory over the Highland side.

Speaking after the game, the Celtic manager said: "We had obviously set up the team to play in a different way and when Mika got injured we had to adjust.

“We had a choice. Do we put in a right-back and go a little bit more defensive or do we stay aggressive and offensive and put Stuart Armstrong to that position but allow him to get forward?

“I thought he was brilliant today. He adapted well, there was no drama and I thought he played the position really well and should have scored.

“He was up and down that wing. He did brilliantly to adapt to the position. He’s played a real central role for me and I can see him developing and progressing his game, day in, day out. He’s getting confidence and he’s now looking the part. His energy from midfield is important for us, but to slot into that right-back role today, I thought he was brilliant.”

And the manager admitted that Armstrong was a player he’d identified as wanting to work with, even before the squad reported back for pre-season.

“When I looked at the videos, one of the games I saw was against Motherwell at the end of last season,” the Hoops boss explained, “and when I saw him play that day I thought, here’s a talent because he has all the tools that I like in a modern midfield player.

“He can pass the ball – although he needed to tidy up his passing – he’s mobile and his energy is great. He needed to learn the game tactically and press the game but he’s got a lot of qualities that are suited to being a modern-day footballer. And he probably just needed confidence.

“He came from Dundee United where he was a central player – there are a lot of good central midfield players here so he was playing from the left side, but his natural habitat is central, and he’s just developed each game and each day. He’s been patient but now he’s taken his opportunity, and he’s a great asset for the squad.

“Stuart showed today that he has that ability. Sometimes that can frighten a player going into a different position. But he defended very well, firstly, and then showed his ability to get forward with his energy.”

 

Thought he was excellent today considering. Linked up really well with Roberts on a few occassions.

 

Pleased for him.

 

He is a totally different player under Rodgers and I believe he will continue to progress under him...

 

Scottish James Milner

 

Stuart Armstrong has come on leaps and bounds recently. Honestly thought he wouldn't cut it here.

 

The bhoy needs to learn to f-ing finish.

 

It's not really a prerequisite for a RB.

 

Then stay out of the box.
Btw - "uncle hoe" - love it!

 

He is improving.

Think Brendan may be finding out exactly what he can do he has tried him out in 4 or 5 different positions now. Think he is useful player and can be developed into a good utility player.

Has pace and good energy, passing reasonable, shooting is ok. he needs to add some power, grit and steel to his game.

He is more of a petrov type than a brown.

 

Remember this is the same Armstrong who came from United in amazing form and was the only player who did anything of note against Inter.
I think Rodgers sees somethings there and if he's a squad player that covers injuries and allows first team players a rest then so be it but he knows he can get a run of form he could cement his place.
How many "squad players" have went on to be amazing players for there clubs.

Wasn't James Vardy originally bought as a squad player for Leicester.

 

Charlie Mulgrew was a decent squad player for us. It seems versatility helps.

Good on him. Deserved his motm today.

 

His work rate was always good i thought its just the final pass and the shooting he needs to improve on