Brendan Rodgers claims he felt Stuart Armstrong was Celtic’s outstanding player before arriving as manager

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Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong has been praised by manager Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told the Daily Record that he identified Stuart Armstrong as ‘the outstanding player’ at the club before arriving as manager.

The Bhoys made it nine wins from ten league games on Saturday afternoon, as Tom Rogic’s superb finish handed Rodgers’ men a 1-0 away win at Aberdeen.

With just two points dropped, 31 goals scored and only eight goals conceded, Celtic have made a superb start to life under Rodgers, and a host of players are impressing.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon has adapted to Rodgers’ style of playing out from the back, captain Scott Brown is playing his best football in some time, whilst summer signings Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele are terrorising defences all over Scotland.

However, Rodgers has singled out a surprise name for praise, having seemingly been impressed with the performances of midfielder Stuart Armstrong.

Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong in action

Armstrong, 24, was a big signing for Celtic in February 2015, as the Bhoys forked out almost £2m to land him from Dundee United alongside winger Gary Mackay-Steven (BBC Sport).

After a bright start, Armstrong faded under Ronny Deila, scoring just four times in 36 games last season whilst struggling to nail down a regular place in the Celtic midfield.

Now though, Armstrong is impressing Rodgers, notching two goals in seven league games so far, and Rodgers has revealed to the Daily Record that he had actually identified Armstrong as Celtic’s outstanding player before taking the job, and feels he has now found his best position – in the middle of midfield.

Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong celebrates

“He’s playing at a real good level of confidence and there’s much more to come,” said Rodgers. “When I was studying Celtic before I came in he was the outstanding player. His profile suited how I like a team to play in terms of mobility, speed, power, good technique. When I came in I found he’d played a lot from the left.”

“In the time we’ve worked together I’ve slotted him into positions, like in front of the midfield and just behind. Now I can see clearly that his best position is in the middle of the field,” he added.

Have you been happy with Armstrong’s performances this season?