Mark Devlin 
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Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has praised Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong after a strong start to the season under Brendan Rodgers earned him a regular place in the Celtic first-team.
The 24-year-old bagged his 10th goal of this campaign on Sunday against Rangers and continues to impress in the centre of the park under Rodgers.
His performances have earned him a place in Scotland’s international squad for the upcoming games with Canada and Slovenia.
And Gordon Strachan, the man who has granted the call-up, has praised the Hoops starlet for his superb form this season.
As quoted by The Scotsman, Strachan said:
I think he’s a different personality now. He’s become a personality on the football field. He has enjoyed being that personality. I think what he wanted to do before, and I might be wrong, is be a good team player.
But he had more than that in him. What he is trying to do now is be the best player on the pitch first and then be a good team player.
I think it was the other way about before. He was just a lovely fellow. Me and my wife went to a dinner and he made an acceptance speech and we all thought ‘what a lovely lad he is’ but I’m afraid we have to turn into devils on the pitch.
You don’t have to be a devil but there has to be a devil inside you and I think that personality has grown because he joined Celtic and had to deal with what comes with that.
He has moved position. He has gone to that central midfield position which I always thought was his best. He has an engine that means he runs into positions and picks the ball up.
Some people stand in positions, he runs into positions. He runs beyond strikers as well, which is good. He has got the taste for goals now which is why he has come to the fore. When you score goals you get recognised.
Armstrong signed for the Scottish champions in 2015, though was used mostly as a wide-midfielder rather than a central player.
He scored on his debut against Partick Thistle as well as netting on his home and European debut against Italian side Inter Milan.
Current Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers has seemed to revitalise the careers of a number of Celtic players, with Armstrong being one of them.
His overall play and confidence on the ball has given the team a boost going forward this season.
Both the friendly with Canada on 22nd March and the crucial World Cup qualifier with Slovenia four days later will give Armstrong the opportunity to earn his first senior international cap for his country.
