STUART ARMSTRONG can lay claim to being one of the most improved footballers in the game this season.
The high-energy midfielder has been outstanding in recent games – and he hopes to continue that rich seam of form against Partick Thistle at Firhill this evening.
Armstrong looked back at Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday and said: “It was another good display at this level.
“We’ve come a long way since we began away at the Nou Camp and have improved in each game we’ve played.
“Like the game at home which finished 3-3, we feel we could have taken all three points down there.
“We had our chances to do that and that in itself is encouraging. We’d maybe two or three opportunities and I thought we dominated parts of the game against a very good City side.
“So, we can be happy with that. But, of course, we want to keep on winning and improving.
“It makes us hungry to get back to this stage next season. This is where we want to be – challenging against the best.
“Once you have made it into the Champions League, you want to perform well. This has given us great encouragement and motivation to get back to this stage next year and do better.
“It’s fine margins at this level. When you look at the three games we drew, we had chances to win them. That’s the difference.
“You know chances like that are going to be few and far between. On each occasion we could have squeezed and extra goal. It might have been a different story.
“You never want to be just participants at this level. We’ve definitely shown that in the fixtures. That will give us great motivation for next year.”
Armstrong added: “We’re focused on the now rather than looking too far into the future.
“But what we can take from Tuesday was we were composed, confident and assured at this level. Which is important for a team that’s striving to get there and hopes to then perform well.
“We’re learning the gaffer in terms of how he wants to play tactically. It allows us to dominate the ball more against quality opposition. You need to move them around.
“When we don’t have the ball we need to press them in certain situations which allows us to get it back.
“We’re definitely improving on that side of the game. That can only help us going forward.
“I’m definitely learning a lot playing under the gaffer. I’m in a more central role which is much more enjoyable for me.
“Hopefully, that’s showing in my performances. If I can keep that up then I’ll be very happy.”
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