Celtic intend to stamp their Scottish title-winning credentials
Thursday 14 May 2015 07:09, UK
Stuart Armstrong says Celtic intend to rubber stamp their title-winning credentials by playing like champions until the end of the season.
Ronny Deila’s side wrapped up the SPFL Premiership trophy on May 2 when Aberdeen lost to Armstrong’s former team Dundee United and the Hoops celebrated their fourth championship in a row by beating the Dons 1-0 at Pittodrie.
Celtic next face St Johnstone in Perth on Friday night in the penultimate domestic game and the midfielder said: "It’s a strange feeling because the league is won but we still have games left, we still need to train and I think the mentality is to keep focused and the intensity is still there in training and we want to finish with the maximum points we can.
“Being out and seeing the pitch at Celtic Park, you want to play on it all the time. It’s a bit disappointing that there are only two games left but it has been a long season and it’s a nice chance to get a few weeks off and look forward to the next one and start stronger there.
“It’s always difficult to go and play on St Johnstone's pitch. They’re a compact team and they have threats themselves but we’ll be up for it and as I say we have kept the intensity up and we’re after maximum points so we’ll be going there for all three.”
Armstrong revealed the team will rest up after playing Inverness Caledonian Thistle on May 24 in order to be ready for the Bhoys' tilt at the UEFA Champions League qualifiers which will start in July.
“I just focus on playing well for Celtic and doing my best here,” he said. “I don’t worry too much about that side of things.
“There are a lot of players who have played well in important games in this league and in England as well so there is a lot of competition for places.
“I think if you asked any Scottish player would they want to be involved, of course they would be, but there is a lot of competition for places and there are a lot of players who’ve had good seasons.
“As for me my ambition is to do well here and focus on here. There are a few things I’ve tried to improve on and realised about myself; the good things, the bad things and the things that need a little bit of work, so it has been an experience coming here so far and there are a lot of things to look forward to in the future.”
