Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong has been praised for his display for Scotland against Slovenia.
Scotland’s Stuart Armstrong in action with Slovenia’s Jasmin Kurtic
Pundit Billy Dodds has told BBC Sport that he felt Stuart Armstrong’s debut against Slovenia was ‘one of the all-time best debuts’ from a Scotland player.
Armstrong, 24, has been one of the key players in Celtic’s march towards the Scottish Premiership title this season, and one of Brendan Rodgers’ greatest success stories since taking charge of the Bhoys.
The midfielder had been in and out of the Celtc side under Ronny Deila with some underwhelming displays, but he has starred under Rodgers with 11 goals and six assists in just 23 league appearances.
Whilst the former Dundee United ace was a regular with Scotland at youth level, scoring six times in 27 games across stints in the under-19’s and under-21’s, Armstrong hadn’t been capped by Scotland at senior level before Sunday.
With Scotland needing a result in their World Cup qualifier against Slovenia, Armstrong was handed a starting role by Gordon Strachan – and he didn’t disappoint.
Armstrong was one of Scotland’s key players throughout in what looked like being a frustrating game, before he made an impressive run and pass to pick out Chris Martin to score the winning goal in a 1-0 win.
Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong in action with Rangers’ Danny Wilson
After the final whistle at Hampden Park, pundit and former striker Billy Dodds told BBC Sport that he felt Armstrong’s debut was one of the all-time best debuts in Scotland internationals, giving his display an eight out of 10 rating.
Dodds added that, having seen Armstrong carry his domestic form onto the international stage, he thinks the midfielder must start for Scotland against England this summer.
“One of the all-time best debuts in a Scotland jersey,” said Armstrong. “Carried on his club form for Celtic into the international arena. A certain starter against England,” he added.
What did you think of Armstrong’s display against Slovenia?
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