Celtic, the domestic treble winners last season, have maintained their dominance in Scottish football and are on course of securing the same this season too. The Hoops were invincibles last term under Brendan Rodgers, the ex-Liverpool gaffer, who has transformed the great Glasgow giants into an irresistible domestic force. Although they have not been on a par with European heavyweights in Champions League, the Northern Irishman is fighting hard to build up a squad on a shoestring and has managed his resources quite well to cope up with greater objectives.
Stuart Armstrong, the 25-year-old Scottish international, was instrumental in Celtic midfield last season and notched 17 goals altogether in 47 appearances. The former Dundee United star earned a regular place in Rodgers’ starting XI and mostly featured as a ‘number 10’ behind Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele. He was later shifted to a slightly deeper role as the gaffer preferred Callum McGregor in an attacking midfield slot.
The Scotsman did a decent job alongside Scott Brown and started the new season in the middle of the park. Armstrong, meanwhile, became sporadic in later months and got replaced by Olivier Ntcham in central midfield. He has started only 12 times this term out of 22 Premiership outings and is now battling back to regain a first-team slot after missing out a couple of months of football following a hernia surgery. He, however, is now getting back to his best following a few cameos for the club and country and has vowed to end the season on a higher note at Parkhead.
“I’m feeling good and really looking forward to being involved in the big games between now and the end of the season.”
Armstrong will be entering the final 12 months of his current deal this summer for the second consecutive campaign and although was rewarded a one-year extension last summer, it is still uncertain whether he will be offered the same this time as well. Brendan Rodgers, the Hoops boss, is still undecided whether to tie him down on a longer deal, particularly after a season of underperformance and the player, too, declined to comment when asked about his contract situation.
“I’m not going to talk about that just now.”
Rodgers might have to reinvest in the squad amid speculations of several high-profile exits. Forward Moussa Dembele’s winter move to Brighton & Hove Albion broke down in January but the clubs are likely to return for the young Frenchman again in summer. Scott Sinclair is linked to a return to Premier League as well whereas midfield attacker Tom Rogic is weighing up his options and stalling on a contract extension.
The gaffer, although had a young core who flourished under him in the last couple of years, is likely to find it hard to keep hold of a few of them beyond this summer. Armstrong is indeed one of them who is good enough to occupy a central role next season and Rodgers must restore his faith in the Scotsman to continue his glorious realm in Scottish football.
