Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong is ready-made for Ronald Koeman’s Everton midfield

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Stuart Armstrong is reportedly on the radar of both Brighton and Everton after a superb season in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic.

From Virgil Van Dijk to Joe Ledley, Gary Hooper to Fraser Forster, Celtic are used to seeing their key players depart for the glitz and glamour of the Premier League.

But losing influential midfielder Stuart Armstrong to recently promoted Brighton and Hove Albion may hurt even more than the prospect of losing talismanic goalscorer Moussa Dembele to the likes of Chelsea or Liverpool.

The Daily Record report that the Premier League newcomers are plotting a summer move after Armstrong’s exceptional campaign at Parkhead, culminating in another league title and a first international appearance for Scotland.

Yet, the former Dundee United midfielder, who has emerged as an undisputed starter under Brendan Rodgers after struggling on the left under previous manager Ronny Deila, is more than good enough for a side likely to finish higher up the Premier League table.

A tenacious yet classy operator with a career best 14 goals to his name from central midfield, if the 25-year-old is to be convinced to depart Celtic it may have to be a side battling for European football.

Like Everton, for example. The Express reported in March that The Toffees were monitoring Armstrong’s progress at Celtic Park while identifying Dembele as a possible replacement for want-away talisman Romelu Lukaku.

And, with all due respect for a Brighton side who have earned their Premier League chance, Goodison Park appears a more suitable destination for a player of Armstrong’s ability.

The midfielder’s driving runs from the centre of the park means he would slot right in alongside the equally energetic Tom Davies, Ross Barkley and Idrissa Gana Gueye. Furthermore, Everton are crying out for goals from midfield and Armstrong, with 13 in 28 Scottish Premier League appearances, fits the bill.

The Daily Record add that Celtic are confident of extending his current contract. But if he does move to England, he wouldn’t look out of place at Everton.