In Rotherham, at the incongruously named New York Stadium, Scott Allan continues his fall from grace as the Yorkshire side sit bottom of the Championship. The only evidence that Gary Mackay-Steven still exists is the occasional Instagram picture. Ryan Christie and Liam Henderson flit in and out of the picture at Celtic to varying degrees of ineffectiveness. Nadir Ciftci? Emphasis on the Nadir.
So much young talent at Celtic which came through or brought in during the Ronny Deila reign, which is becoming to look increasingly abject each passing week. Yet, as a whole, they are not so young and not quite talented enough. Potential still waiting to be fulfilled.
Then there is the exception to the rule: Stuart Armstrong. Like Mackay-Steven, he had an initial burst of success after, in keeping with his character, discerningly swapping Tannadice for Celtic Park mid-way through last season. But as the season petered out with an anaemic semi-final defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Cup and a mundane league title, Armstrong’s influence waned and he suffered.
When Brendan Rodgers swept into Celtic Park with the accompanied fanfare, Armstrong would have been among the long list of players likely questioning their future in the east end of Glasgow. There was going to be a summer of change after a two-year project which simply did not work.
A recruitment overhaul did not materialise. Quality rather than quantity was added. Players were awarded opportunities. Some failed to rise to the standards and missed the train leaving the station in a hurry. Namely Saidy Janko, whose last involvement was an error-strewn performance in Israel as Celtic squeezed into the Champions League. Who can forget his expression at full-time? As if the aforementioned train was heading straight at him at top speed.
Then there are those who have improved, impressed and been involved. Jozo Simunovic has been a rock at the back, James Forrest has kept Patrick Roberts out the team (for the time being) and then there is Armstrong.
Armstrong has always possessed the required qualities in all aspects of play – technical, tactical, mental and physical – to fit into Rodgers’s philosophy. But in the last three weeks alone he has, like bursting with the ball from deep, shot through the gears. Option from the bench, impact player, important squad member, now a recognised first-team player.
It wouldn’t be an article on Armstrong without a mention of his intelligence and law degree. Clearly a member of society with his follically-blessed head screwed on right, but he has won the heart of Rodgers with his football intelligence.
At Dundee United he was often most effective playing from the left in the heyday of Andy Robertson, Ryan Gauld, Mackay-Steven and Ciftci. Robertson’s ability to cover the whole flank allowed him to move into central areas to combine with team mates and explode into the space between full-back and centre-back. It was in the very same position that he had mostly played wearing the green and white hoops.
That has changed. And rightfully so. Prior to Rodgers’s arrival, Armstrong had appeared, on occasion, in a central role as part of a two at both United and Celtic. It appeared more of a stop-gap than a long-term plan. He looked comfortable with the ball at his feet and playing forward, using his physical qualities. However, he was challenged when the ball was played goal side of him, slow to react and unaware of his position. Those weaknesses still exist but they are being improved upon by Rodgers who sees the potential of Armstrong in a central area.
Prior to the Aberdeen game Rodgers told the press: “He has looked to improve and understand the tactical element of playing on the inside. He’s got a wonderful intelligence. He’s a good footballer, Stuart, and he’s improving tactically all the time.
“Anywhere centrally where he can use his power and pace to break forward, that’s his best position.”
It has been suggested that a role behind the striker is where he is best suited. However, as Craig Fowler astutely notes, his long-term future is not only as a number 8, rather than 10, but perhaps the heir to Scott Brown. Without a doubt, Armstrong is a competent user of the ball but he doesn’t quite possess the cunning in his passing. The disguise which fools defences. The foresight to spot passes, angles and runs before they exist. He doesn’t dissect a defence or deceive opponents in the way Tom Rogic does. If a team has exceptional movement it is often the case that the run makes the pass. But for the special ’10s’ the pass makes the run.
Armstrong should be progressed further as an 8, albeit one which is able to play higher or wider. His qualities, however, are best suited to a deeper role. Technically a fine football player, Armstrong has outstanding physical attributes. They would be wasted higher up the park.
Go back to Celtic’s 4-0 defeat of Ross County. He led a second string team – one which would still win the league – from start to finish. It was he who spotted the opportunity to press high and block County in their own half. His pressure led to a turnover and then Roberst’s opener. Eighty minutes later and he was still exploding forward, setting the tone for Celtic’s tempo and scoring the deciding goal with a composed and intelligent finish.
While Celtic were in control in their Betfred Cup semi-final win over Rangers it wasn’t until Armstrong’s emergence from the bench that they began to turn the screw. His positivity and directness, as opposed to Nir Bitton’s passivity, took Celtic further up the pitch and pushed Rangers back towards their goal with little in attack. Armstrong is an incredibly powerful runner but there is raw speed as well. In full flow he is difficult to keep up with and with the ball that is even more impressive and increasingly dangerous.
What we are witnessing is a player who, after a minor breakdown, is carrying on down the road to fulfilling his potential. We are not witnessing a finished product or someone playing at the height of they capabilities. That much was true on Tuesday in Borussia-Park as Celtic earned a respectable point against Borussia Moenchengladbach. His passing throughout was wayward. Although he wasn’t the only guilty party his were most frequent and led to some particularly dangerous moments for Celtic. It shouldn’t, however, be a case for Armstrong to be moved once again. He is a work in progress and the step-up in quality opposition was clear to see, also when players with the movement of Lars Stindl operated behind the midfield line it becomes difficult.
An issue which may arise is the rejuvenation of Scott Brown. From the start of the season Brown has been more inclined to join in attacks rather than simply give Celtic a strong base/foundation. More game time together and the two will strike up a better understanding in terms of giving the midfield balance. They’ll be allowed that in the midfield battles of the Ladbrokes Premiership because they will see so much of the ball. Although it can be difficult for such teams to switch to a completely new focus on the Champions League.
The best of Armstrong is still to come. And it will likely come alongside a natural, intelligent midfield sitter or 6. Or as part of a midfield trio alongside a 6 and another 8. That was the way Celtic finished on Tuesday, the 6 allowing a bit more freedom to Armstrong’s forward inclination.
It is only a matter of time before Armstrong transfers his positional change and progression to the national stage. The England game came arguably too soon, especially with Scott Brown’s return. Then again, when Barrie McKay and John McGinn are being included in recent squads despite their lack of top-flight CV it is understandable when eyebrows are raised.
“Hopefully over the coming years you will really see the best of him,” said Rodgers.
“If he keeps improving and showing those levels, there is absolutely no question he is a player that can feature for his national team.”
These last few weeks have merely been the start of the rest of Armstrong’s career as he’s set to become an asset to both Celtic and Scotland.*
* And that means we’ll will be seeing a lot more of that hair.
Written by Joel Sked