Stuart Armstrong

Yeah, it's all very reminiscent of Maloney when he signed a pre-contract with Villa when Celtic stood by him through injuries and loss of form. I'm still raging we resigned him after that kick in the baws.

I wouldn't say Armstrong was a first pick ahead of Rogic/McGregor, certainly not now anyway. He has a different dimension to his game than those with his running ability but on a technical level he's nowhere near big Tam.

McGregor for me is exemplary, he's ultra-consistent, versatile, never goes in a huff when dropped (sometimes for players out of form) and for me has shown himself to be capable at a higher level (European goals v Legia, Ajax, Bayern, regular hunskelper too)

If anything McGregor has more grounds to be making demands from our club; but he doesn't.

Every day of the week I'll take someone with humility who appreciates playing for us and gives his all over a guy who has 6 months of scintillating form out of 3 years and thinks he's Billy Big Time.

 

Genuinely think some folk have forgotten just how good he was last season. 17 goals, 7 assists never mind his contribution in general play. 1 of 4 nominees for PFA POTY. He was a revelation under BR.
As has already been said, the fella didn't grow up a tim and has made no bones about his aspirations to play in the EPL. I respect that. The contract talk definitely affected his form and with injuries etc he hasn't hit the heights of last season.

Still wouldn't be rushing him out the door, the opposite in fact. Would love to see him pen a new deal.

 

If Armstrong doesn't want to sign a new contract then we should be sounding out deals just now, then we can look for a replacement in the summer.

 

All the more reason to be appreciative of the involvement that Rodgers had in putting him on that path. His career was going nowhere beforehand.

He's entitled to get himself a big contract with an EPL side if that's what he desires, signing a longer term deal and knuckling down wouldn't impede that ambition. There's a raft of previous examples that show we won't dig our heels in and hold a player against their will: Wanyama, Forster, Hooper, VVD, Ledley, Ki etc.

If he had any intention of being at Celtic he would've signed a longer term deal or said he wanted to stay when asked the other day. He doesn't, which is his choice. I just think he's went about it the totally wrong way. Had he continued the form of the last season he might've been looking at a move to the likes of an Everton or Newcastle on current form he'd be lucky to get a relegation contender. The EPL will chew him up and spit him out, just like many before who thought they had outgrown Celtic.

 

BR took him from the bench to being one of the top 4 players in the country last season and an international player. You can have no doubt he's appreciative of that. Agree that he's done absolutely nothing to warm himself to the fans since completing the treble in May. He's only 25/26, if he's going to really make it and kick on now is the time. Head was obviously turned during the summer. Just don't think we should be wishing him out the door because he's not sure if his future's at Celtic.

It's the resentment of anyone who think's they're worthy of an EPL move that I don't understand. The satisfaction so many Celtic fans got from Hooper not making it in the EPL for example, never quite got that.

 

Was there resentment towards Forster or Wanyama? People are glad Hooper failed because he stopped giving his all for Celtic long before he left.

 

There's been very few players I've wanted to see succeed when they've left Celtic. Realise that's petty and stuff.

 

If the player is professional and gives 100% effort in a Celtic jersey until he leaves, I will wish him well when he moves on. If he starts whoring himself out in the media and his effort drops off, he can * off post-haste.

 

We're wishing him out the door because he's given every indication his future isn't at Celtic. Short deal, evasive about it when questioned, half-arsed performances.

I can't say I've ever resented a Celtic player for thinking they were EPL-worthy. For guys like Ki, Wanyama, VVD and Forster I didn't have any doubt in my mind they'd make it and they each gave years of good service to us before bagging us big fees.

I'm just being objective in that Armstrong so far has only performed well for 6 months in Scottish Football, in Europe he has more often than not floundered. It's just my opinion that he's not in the category of those players I've mentioned.

If he moves to the EPL then I imagine his career will go on the same trajectory as Hooper's. That's not bitterness, just my honest assessment of his ability.

 

Think your point about Ki, Wanyama, VVD, Forster is bang on. The vast majority of support had no doubt they could make it down south. Same isn't the case for Armstrong and hence he's taking more flack for having 'EPL notions' if you like. * knows what his motivations are. He'd make a * tonne more cash in 4/5 years with a team in the bottom half of the EPL consistently.

As for the half arsed performances and his effort dropping off, yea maybe. But the fella had a hernia at Christmas time that required surgery. Have to assume they had tried non-surgical treatment and then made the call when the winter break came that he needed it operated on.
He doesn't appear to have an attitude problem. His body language isn't * or anything like Hooper's was towards the end of his time at Celtic.

 

If i had the option i would tie down armstrong and rogic on long deals ..mcgregor is the weaker of the 3.

 

These games would have done him a world of good.

 

Armstrong doesn't want to stay. McGregor is far more comfortable stepping up a level in Europe too.

Big Tam will sign another deal soon I think.

 

I would not be too bothered if we sold him this summer. I much prefer Callum (for both Celtic and Scotland). Armstrong technically probably better but his is not as consistent and I really hate players who's heart is not here. On the other hand McGregor (who is becoming a big favourite for me) will always give his best for Celtic irrespective where Brendan plays him and his is more consistent and more importantly has a great attitude akin to Tierney, which is not surprising as both of them are Celtic fans and came through our academy.

 

Armstrong is in no way technically better than McGregor.

When Armstrong goes South I think his career down there will be very like his last 2 season here - Highs and lows.

He will go down there and score a hatful, then his side will hit a slump. It’s in the slump that he will struggle, up against vastly superior players.

The type of player we will sell for £6m odd, will have 6-12 months in the EPL, end up in the Championship by relegation/loan/sale and then have a 17 goal season and be back in the EPL for big money.

Rinse and repeat.

 

Correct.

Armstrong has superior stamina and running ability. If he takes a bad touch in Scotland he can more often than not recover because of that; in Europe if he takes a bad touch or sloppy pass, we're punished.

McGregor has a much superior touch and awareness. Even up against superior teams like Bayern, Zenit, Ajax etc. he doesn't look out his depth.

 

I don’t think he meant technically better in a football technique wise btw.

 

His barnet is technically better.

 

Yet is the only one who turns up in Europe.

 

Harsh on Rogic that for me. Didn’t think he had a chance to prove it this season due to injury, thought he done well last season and had one * tremendous show running game againsy City in the 3-3.

But McGregor is the most reliable in Europe.

A Scottish midfielder who moves for the ball, retains possesion, with a good first touch, who has an eye for goal?

* novelty that.