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Stuart Armstrong’s time at Celtic might not have lasted long – he was only at the Hoops for three and a half years – but he was a stand-out performer for the Hoops in the invincible treble season that was 2016/17.
Armstrong joined the Hoops from Dundee United in January 2015, signing for the Bhoys on the same day as his Tannadice teammate Gary Mackay-Steven.
Armstrong got off to the best possible start for the Celts, scoring on his debut against Partick Thistle. He had a decent year and a half at the Hoops, but his career changed completely with the arrival of Brendan Rodgers.
YouTube: Armstrong scores on Celtic debut after big-money move!
Everybody knows how successful Brendan Rodgers was in his time as Celtic manager. He won every available domestic tournament there was to win, until he left the club to join Leicester City. One of the best things about Rodgers was his ability to improve players, and that is certainly what he did with Armstrong.
Armstrong scored 17 goals in the 2016/17 season, which is a great total for a midfielder. It is a goal tally that a striker would have been proud of. Not only did Armstrong score on a regular basis, but he also scored some very important goals. A winner away at Kilmarnock. A goal against Rangers. But his most important goal of the season came at Hampden Park.
In the Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen, Celtic trailed early on to a Jonny Hayes goal. The Hoops needed a quick response – up stepped Armstrong. He got the ball in the middle of the park, and fired a fine shot into the back of the net to bring the Bhoys level.
YouTube: Stuart Armstrong Goal Celtic 1-1 Aberdeen (scottish cup final 27/05/17)
As everyone knows, the Hoops ended up winning the game thanks to an injury-time Tom Rogic goal. That might not have happened had Armstrong not replied so quickly. The last thing Celtic would have wanted was to be behind for a long period, thankfully Armstrong got the bit between his teeth and got the all-important goal.
Sadly, Armstrong’s next season with the Hoops was affected by injury, and he left the club to join Southampton before the start of the 2018/19 season. He is still a Southampton player, and has been a regular for both them and the Scottish national team.
Overall, in his time at Celtic, Armstrong won four league titles, two Scottish Cups, and two League Cups. He was part of a Hoops side which won two domestic trebles, and that is something for the player to be proud of.
When Celtic fans look at Stuart Armstrong’s career at the club in years to come, there might be some disappointment that he didn’t stay at the club longer than he did.
But those great performances in season 2016/17 shouldn’t be forgotten about. Armstrong played a very important role in one of Celtic’s best ever seasons, and those 17 goals will always be part of that. Armstrong was a very good player for the Bhoys.
