STUART ARMSTRONG was yesterday named the Ladbrokes Premiership player of the month for March, in what was hardly the biggest surprise of the season.
The Celtic midfielder spoke about his love of playing for Celtic as his new contract negotiations progress and also revealed that he’s been taking pelters from his teammates who have been winding him up ever since the celebrity tweet from comedian James Corden that encouraged West Ham to sign the £20million Scotland international.
Armstrong saw the funny side of it all though as he talked about Corden’s tweet.
“Someone sent me it. It’s just something you have got to laugh at, a bit of humour.
“It’s always nice to see these things. There was a little bit of humour from the boys about it!
More seriously for the player, club and supporters is the ongoing contract saga. And while CQN has been giving you the informed facts on this the papers have been busy trying to get the player out the door at Parkhead with theories on the player wanting to playing in England and mainland Europe.
CQN told you that Armstrong wants to play for Celtic so it was nice to hear it from the horse’s mouth.
“We are looking at my contract. I am really happy here and playing some of the best football of my life,” Armstrong said.
“I’m in a really good place. I’m sure it will take care of itself.”
Armstrong was asked by the hacks about maybe looking for a “dream move” to the riches of the English Premiership.
“My view on that is my view on approaching games,” Stuart replied.
“I’m in a really good place. I’m sure it will take care of itself.”
“In the past, I would have maybe dwelled on things and thought too much about different aspects of the game.
“Now it is about taking each one at a time and living in the moment. The future takes care of itself.
“I tend to focus on being here and being a Celtic player, which I am,” said the 25 year old.
“I love playing week in, week out in my favourite position for a club like Celtic – and playing under Brendan Rodgers as well. I couldn’t be happier.
And there’s plenty for the player to look forward to in the green and white Hoops.
“The Champions League was one of the attractions of coming to Celtic, the European experiences,” he revealed.
“The prospect of playing in that again is amazing. It’s something every player looks forward to because it is very special. What the manager is building here is a real, good quality team.
“You have seen the step up we have made already in only his first season. That can only get better.”
He also looked back at a pre-season match in Limerick against Inter Milan when Celtic put out a fringe team and Armstrong was selected to play. Some in the media read into his inclusion in that team selection that new manager Brendan Rodgers didn’t fancy the former Dundee United player.
Nothing could have been further from the truth.
“I think at the time of that Inter Milan match it was more of a squad game, that one. I was still playing on the left-hand side during that time. So that was a nice time for me!
“But I always refer to the conversation I had with the manager at the start of the season.
“Following that there was a clear picture of what I needed to do be a part of his Celtic side and that’s what I’ve been working on and focusing on every day.
“Personally, for me the number eight position is the best.
“I can help in defence and go forward and naturally do what I like to do.”
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