Sybaris Ali 
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Stuart Armstrong has been in phenomenal form this season after adjusting to life under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.
When the Irishman took charge of the Hoops, Armstrong looked to be on the periphery of the Celtic squad but has since revived his Celtic career. Having scored eight goals and assisted five this season, the midfielder doesn’t look out of place beside captain, Scott Brown.
Stuart Armstrong (8⚽️ 5🎯)
Here's every goal and assist from the midfielder this season! pic.twitter.com/oQkx1A6K9S
— Read Celtic and The Trinity Tims (@ReadCeltic) January 8, 2017
However, while Armstrong had featured in both ties against Astana and Lincoln Red Imps, as well as playing against Hearts, on the opening weekend of the season, he wasn’t playing to his optimum level. The turning point in his form was though was in Celtic’s 5-1 win against Rangers in September.
Armstrong, who replaced Tom Rogic early in the second-half in that match, played superbly and caused the Rangers defence a whole host of problems. Since then, he has been able to establish himself as a regular starter, and is now one of the first names on the teamsheet. What’s been impressive though, is his willingness and engine to go past the striker and create chances for himself.
A good example of this was his goal against Kilmarnock in the Hoops 1-0 win at Rugby Park. Armstrong, who starts his run from his own half and makes up the ground to get on the end of Dembele’s through ball and slot the ball home.
Celtic 1-0 Kilmarnock (18/11/16)
Stuart Armstrong ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/8Ypp7ZNtvV
— Read Celtic and The Trinity Tims (@ReadCeltic) November 18, 2016
This isn’t a new dimension to Armstrong’s game, but last season this drive was missing when he played for the Hoops when he played out on the left side of midfield. Brendan Rodgers however, looks to have motivated the midfielder to start producing the performances which earned him a move to Celtic back in 2015 in his favoured central role.
What has been added to his game though is his ability to strike from distance. Already this season he has netted a few crackers from outside the area, but they have also been during important moments in matches this season against Hamilton and Ross County. There could be a case even to play him in the number 10 role for bigger matches with his stamina in the middle of the park, something which Rogic hasn’t shown consistently.
While Celtic have been unbeaten domestically for 24 matches this season, Armstrong’s presence in the middle of the park has been a massive boost for Celtic fans. The Scot, who picked up player of the month for December, may even be Player of the Year when the awards arrive at the end of the season and if he continues performing at his current level, few could argue against it.
