Stuart Armstrong called up to Scotland squad by Gordon Strachan
Monday 24 August 2015 15:13, UK
Gordon Strachan has included Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong in his Scotland squad for their European Qualifiers against Georgia and Germany.
The 23-year-old is yet to win a cap for the national side but will join the squad for their Group D fixtures next month.
Scotland play Georgia in Tbilisi on September 4 before welcoming world champions Germany to Hampden three days later.
Scotland sit third in the table, three points behind leaders Poland and just two behind Germany.
Derby striker Chris Martin and Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor are back in the squad while Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths retains his place.
Like McGregor, Blackburn defender Grant Hanley is back after injury while midfielders Barry Bannan and Charlie Adam miss out.
On Armstrong, Strachan said: "I have been impressed for a while because about two years ago he was in a squad. It's not like he has just come on the radar, he has always been on the radar.
"It shouldn't be a big surprise to anyone because he has been doing well at a high level. He looks comfortable at the level he is playing in and he is becoming a major figure in games."
As well as aiming for his international debut, the former Dundee United midfielder is hoping to secure Champions League football when Celtic face Malmo in Sweden on Tuesday night.
And Strachan believes Armstrong can thrive further after impressing since his move to Parkhead during the winter transfer window.
He said: "Hopefully the quality of teams they are going to play against in the next few months will be even higher than the teams they are playing against now.
"It's also just dealing with the big-game mentality, dealing with the pressure, dealing with the crowds. That's something the boys at Celtic have to deal with all the time and Stuart, as far as I can see, is dealing with that well now."
Full Scotland squad:
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, David Marshall, Allan McGregor
Defenders: Christophe Berra, Craig Forsyth, Gordon Greer, Grant Hanley, Alan Hutton, Russell Martin, Charlie Mulgrew, Steven Whittaker, Andrew Robertson.
Midfielders: Ikechi Anya, Stuart Armstrong, Scott Brown, Darren Fletcher, James Forrest, Shaun Maloney, James McArthur, James Morrison, Matt Ritchie, Johnny Russell.
Strikers: Steven Fletcher, Leigh Griffiths, Steven Naismith, Chris Martin.
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