Everton were willing to pay big for Stuart Armstrong in the summer and the Celtic midfielder’s form has dropped alarmingly since.
Stuart Armstrong hasn’t quite been the same dynamic, forceful and focused presence in the centre of the park for Celtic since that summer saga surrounding his future at Parkhead.
Armstrong enjoyed a superb season with The Hoops in 2016/17, netting 17 goals from midfield to fire Celtic to the domestic treble while being rewarded for his efforts with a belated Scotland debut.
But with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2018 and speculation surrounding a move to the Premier League increasing by the day, Armstrong struggled to find his feet in the early stages of the current campaign and ended up dropped to the bench by manager Brendan Rodgers.
And although he eventually committed his future to Celtic by inking a new two-year contract in August, it appears that Armstrong has a long way to go to match his influence of last season.
Or, for that matter, justify why Everton were willing to pay £10 million for him during the summer, according to the Daily Express.
The former Dundee United ace hit a new low for the season in Celtic’s 1-0 Champions League defeat at home to Anderlecht on Tuesday and disgruntled supporters didn’t hold back. Many called for the under-performing midfielder to be dropped – while others appeared to have no issue with Armstrong being sold in January.
At the moment, Armstrong is a little fortunate to still be in Celtic’s starting XI on current form. So it’s difficult to see how he would have forced his way into a talented, if underperforming Everton side.
But if Celtic receive offers of around £10 million again, Armstrong’s performances in the last few weeks may give Rodgers some food for thought.
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