Stuart Armstrong hails Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers after Scotland call up

By Michael Cantillon

Sunday 19 March 2017 17:51, UK

Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong praised boss Brendan Rodgers for "reigniting" his career after receiving a call-up to the senior Scotland squad.

The 24-year-old, who has represented his country at U19 and U21 level, has yet to play for the senior side despite earning previous call-ups in May 2013 and August 2015.

Armstrong has scored 11 goals so far this season, having been deployed in a central role by Hoops manager Rodgers, and Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has drafted the midfielder into the squad for the upcoming friendly with Canada and World Cup Qualifier against Slovenia later this month.

Armstrong's latest strike was a stunning left-foot drive in the Old Firm derby with Rangers at Celtic Park on Sunday in a 1-1 draw, and he has thanked Rodgers for helping rediscover his form.

"Since he [Rodgers] came in, we had the initial conversation at the start of the season and how he wanted me to go about my business at Celtic," Armstrong told Celtic's official website.

"That really spurred me on and gave me a great platform and opportunity to work my way into the side and play in my favoured position. I owe him a lot for reigniting my career at Celtic.

"I had been named in the Scotland squad a couple of times, first at Dundee United and then at the start of my first full season at Celtic, but I got an injury so that was a bit of a disappointing time.

"It was very tough to take as I have never been capped before and it was a great honour to be called up, so to decline with an injury was very disappointing.

"It was a bit up and down after that but since the gaffer has come in he has revitalised my career. He moved me into the middle and I have built on that in training, working very hard in training and contributing in games with goals and assists.

"It's been a good season of progress so it's been very nice to be rewarded with a Scotland call-up.

"It's a proud moment for me and my family. I'm really pleased about it and very excited about meeting up with the rest of the squad."

Armstrong's 11 goals so far this term is already seven more than he registered in the whole of last season, with Celtic next making the trip to face Dundee on Sunday.