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Celtic's Stuart Armstrong wants to repay faith showed in him by boss Brendan Rodgers

Stuart Armstrong (14) celebrates his rocket at Accies  with Brendan Rodgers
Image: Stuart Armstrong (14) celebrates his Christmas Eve rocket with Brendan Rodgers

Stuart Armstrong fired in one of the best goals of his career in the 3-0 Scottish Premiership win at Hamilton then thanked boss Brendan Rodgers for rejuvenating his career at Celtic.

The Hoops midfielder was unable to pin down a regular starting berth under former boss Ronny Deila, who signed both him and Gary Mackay-Steven from Dundee United early last year.

When Armstrong did feature, it was often on the left flank but since taking charge at Celtic over the summer, Rodgers has employed the 24-year-old in a preferred central midfield role, where he has thrived.

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Watch Armstrong's stunning goal and the rest of the highlights from Celtic's 3-0 win at Hamilton

Armstrong netted Celtic's second of the game at the SuperSeal Stadium on Christmas Eve with a 25-yard strike he has "probably not" bettered, before rushing to the technical area to celebrate with Rodgers.

Substitute Moussa Dembele added a third near the end to keep Celtic 14 points clear of Rangers with a game in hand over the Ibrox side.

"I don't really know what to do with my celebration, I just got carried away a little bit," said Armstrong.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers at full-time
Image: Brendan Rodgers' Celtic side have won 13 Premiership games on the bounce

"I owe a lot to the manager for everything he has done since he came here for me personally and the team, which is to really enjoy life at Celtic in that central position.

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"I definitely have a lot to thank him for.

"You want to score and I don't care how they go in, as long as somebody is putting the ball in the net.

"But obviously from a personal point of view, scoring goals is always nice to help the team and when they go in like that, it's always that bit nicer."

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While Celtic extended their unbeaten domestic run to 22 games, Armstrong took his tally to the season to seven and ahead of the visit of Ross County on Wednesday night, he said: "I always like scoring goals and that is something I always wanted to add.

"They are coming more naturally to me now, now that I am in the middle and getting more opportunities.

"If I keep adding that to my game and contributing, then I will be happy.

"I had a bit of time and space. It was on my right foot as well and I scored one - not as nice as that - here (Hamilton) before that was outside the box.

"I knew you can get a good connection sometimes on the Astroturf so I thought I might as well have a go."

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