Stuart Armstrong is expected to return for Scottish Premiership champions Celtic ahead of the Europa League clash with Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg.
Usually, news that last season’s 17-goal midfielder is set to return from injury ahead of a huge European tie would be met with a great deal of relief.
But it says a lot about Stuart Armstrong’s performances on the continent this season that Celtic fans are not too thrilled with reports in the Daily Record stating that he could feature in the Europa League round of 32 clash with Zenit St Petersburg later this month.
The 25-year-old has been out since mid-January after undergoing a hernia operation and was expected to miss the clash with Roberto Mancini’s men. But, instead, Armstrong could be set for a shock return. But he must play far better than he did in the Champions League group stage if Celtic are to avoid another humiliating night in Europe.
He was well out of his depth in September’s 5-0 thrashing against PSG, Celtic’s biggest home defeat since 1895. But his worst display was arguably in the 1-0 home defeat to Anderlecht, where he was subbed at the break and subjected to intense criticism from supporters on social media.
Armstrong, then, can expect to be under the microscope when Zenit come to town on February 15. Because it seems that he has a lot to prove to the Celtic supporters.
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