Stuart Armstrong

STUART Armstrong knew Celtic would be forced to work for their win on Christmas Eve at the home of Hamilton Accies today (Saturday) but he praised the Bhoys for preserving their 14-point lead at the top of the table with yet another victory in difficult conditions

As a fragmented first-half came to a close, Leigh Griffiths fired the Hoops in front with a clinical finish after receiving a clever through ball from Callum McGregor. The midfielder was then harshly sent-off shortly after the restart and Celtic were reduced to 10-men but Armstrong stepped up to rattle in a Christmas cracker of a long-range strike to make it 2-0 to the Celts.

Substitute Moussa Dembele then sealed the win with a cool finish inside the box in the closing stages of the match to keep the Bhoys 14-points clear at Christmas.

“It was obviously not perfect conditions for football, especially with the weather,” he said. “It’s always difficult on the astro turf and difficult with their formation. We knew it’d be a tough afternoon but I thought we dealt with it great and really enjoyed the victory in the end.

“The first-half was a bit stop-start and we took a bit of time to get going as a team. Griff gave us a great advantage going into the second-half so that was a nice cushion for us and we needed to step it up slightly in the second-half and I think we did that. After the sending-off we had more chances than we did in the first-half.

“We always like to focus on ourselves and how we can improve week-to-week. We’ve got another two games to go in a busy December schedule so we’ll have a nice Christmas then come back and we’re looking forward to Ross County.”

Armstrong’s strike, his seventh of the season, was a moment of true class from the midfielder and brightened up an afternoon of football that was, at times, agricultural in style due to the difficult playing conditions.

After watching his rocketed shot find the top corner, he ran straight to Brendan Rodgers on the touchline, encapsulating the positive relationship between the player and his manager that has developed this season.

“I don’t care how they go in, as long as someone is putting the ball in the net but, from a personal point of view, scoring goals is always nice to help the team and when they go in like that it’s just that extra bit nicer,” he added.

“I didn’t really know what to do with my celebration. I just got carried away a little bit but I owe a lot to the manager for everything he’s done for me personally and the team since he came in. I’m enjoying life at Celtic in that central position. I’ve definitely got a lot to thank him for.”

 

I wrote off his attempts at long shots as they always seeemed to be the same, side foot weaklings or blasts over the bar but I have to admit anyone who keeps trying must be successful in training or else the manager would telll him to wrap it. So it just goes to show what another aspect of his skill range he's got. He really is a special player beucase he's so humble he doens't mind doing the hard work in defence either so when he does come forward it must be very difficult for players to mark him or guess what he's going to do with the ball. He's got good passing skiils, can press well, can shoot well and can play the strikers role by getting into the 6 yard box to finish off a move well. It's a brilliant range of abilities and no wonder he's vice captain.

The only criticism I would have of him is his corner taking isn't that great but that's not his fault, we should have someone else taking them. Corners are so important for us especially when teams are parking the bus we need to use those opportunities when we can get all our dangerous men in the box.

I know Henderson is our best player but it's very unlikely he's going to get a run of games unless we've already won the league.

I would prefer maybe McGregor on corners as he's a very skilful player. Mind you he's not even in our first team!

I'm not sure who of our first team would be the best, probably Rogic but we need his height and eye for goal in the box during dead ball situations.

Bet Simunovic could hit a mean corner but again we'd need him in the box due to his height.

 

Can totally understand him running to celebrate with Brendan, I mean he is the guy who spotted the talent and restored faith in him giving him his confidence back. Must be a lot of respect there.

 

Star.

 

Aye you can see it with everyone this season.

 

I didn't actually think it was his best game, but that goal was stunning.

 

Aye that's something that I like to see in players, even when they're not playing well they still have the confidence to come out with something like that.

Of course I'd like to see them playing their best but mostly players who don't end up having a bad game altogether. Not many are capable of bringing that rabbit out of the hat.

Saying that though, Armstrong rarely has had a bad game this season so that's good we won't have to rely on him doing that. I'm not a fan of his long shots anyway Prefer it when he works goals out for other players.

 

Please don't....

 

A beautiful human being he is. Him and Brown have been a revelation in the middle if the park.

Rodgers really is turning him into a great player.

 

Yep more than likely. He just didn't seem like his head was in football if you know what I mean. More academic that suited for a physical game.

 

Playing on the left wing didn't suit him. He has also cut out the going in for 50/50 challenges half arsed & doesn't loose the ball as much

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Him or Broony.

 

He's probably the most improved player this season. His decision making and cutting out needlessly giving away possession has made him more consistent.

I think we all new there was a player in there when we bought him. Hes taken his time to settle and I hope he continues.

Not saying that don't want another midfielder brought in, but Armstrong is becoming a great option for the middle of the park now.

 

I mind he scored a good one not long before we signed him

 

Him and GMS are so gimpy

Can't help but laugh at the pair of them when they're together.

 

Hes defo in with a shout of that title.

Been phenomenal so far.

 

Like a different player. Loving his work.