Stuart Armstrong

Stuart Armstrong

Armstrong training with Dundee United
Personal information
Date of birth (1992-03-30) 30 March 1992
Place of birth Inverness, Scotland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Celtic
Number 14
Youth career
2003–2008 Dyce Boys Club
2008–2009 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
2009–2010 Dundee United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2010–2015 Dundee United 126 (18)
2015– Celtic 37 (4)
National team‡
2010 Scotland U19 7 (2)
2010–2014 Scotland U21 20 (4)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:30, 30 April 2016 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 29 May 2014

Stuart Armstrong (born 30 March 1992) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Celtic as a midfielder. He began his career with Dundee United, making his debut in 2010 and going on to make almost 150 appearances before joining Celtic in February 2015. He has represented Scotland at under-19 and under-21 level and has been included in the full Scotland squad, but has yet to make his debut.

Armstrong was voted as the SFWA Young Player of the Year in 2013 and has twice been named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for the Scottish Premiership. He was also nominated twice for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year.

Early and personal life

Born in Inverness, Armstrong attended Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen, alongside fellow footballer Fraser Fyvie.[1] Armstrong grew up idolizing Gianfranco Zola.[2]

Armstrong studies for a law degree through the Open University in his spare time.[3][4]

Club career

Early career

Armstrong formerly played for Dyce Boys Club and Inverness Caledonian Thistle before joining Dundee United in July 2009.[5]

Dundee United

He made his first team debut for Dundee United in November 2010, coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 win over Hamilton.[6] Two months later, on 12 January 2011, he provided his first assist, crossing for David Goodwillie to score as his side won 2–0 against Motherwell.[7] Throughout the rest of the season, Armstrong was in and out of the team, making twelve appearance. Manager Peter Houston praised Armstrong on his substitute role.[8]

The next season, Armstrong swapped between starting and coming off the bench as an impact sub. In a match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, on 10 December 2011, he provided a double assist, in the second-half, to make a comeback win, which his side won 3–2. Armstrong then scored his first goal for United in a 2–2 draw against St Mirren in December 2011.[9] After the match, Armstrong says scoring his first goal was his first proper strike, having scored but it was deflected against Inverness.[1]

The next season, Armstrong made his European debut in the Europa League Qualifiers third round; second leg, in a 5–0 loss against Russian side Dynamo Moscow, putting Dundee United out of the competition, after coming on as a substitute for John Rankin. After making six appearance this season, Armstrong agreed a three-year contract with Dundee United in September 2012.[10] After signing a new deal, Manager Houston believes that Armstrong can make an impact and that he could follow former team-mates such as Goodwillie, Scott Robertson, Paul Dixon and Morgaro Gomis.[11] On 24 November 2012, Armstrong scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–1 win over Ross County from a header, which he nicked the goal from Jon Daly. After the match, Armstrong then apologised to Daly and described this as "the furthest out finish of his career".[12][13] A few week later in mid-December, Armstong provided a double assist back to back in two consecutive matches against rivals Dundee and Inverness. On 30 December 2012, Armstrong scored his second goal of the season, in a 4–3 loss against St Mirren. Armstrong next goal came against Celtic on 16 February 2013, in a 6–2 loss. Having made six appearances in February, Armstrong was awarded Clydesdale Bank Premier League Young Player of the Month.[14]

Towards the end of the season, Armstrong was nominated for SPFA young player of the year,[15] but it was awarded to Hibernian's Leigh Griffiths.[16] He did, however, go on to win the SFWA Young Player of the Year award.[17]

In the 2013–14 season, Armstrong started his season well, scoring two goals in two games against Hibernian and St Johnstone.[18][19] Armstrong and Dundee United began negotiations over a new contract in early December[20] and on 12 December 2013, he signed a one-year contract extension.[21] Armstrong expressed an ambition to play in England in the future, but said he was happy to wait until he had established himself in the first team.[2] In the January 2014 transfer window, the Daily Mail reported that Celtic were considering making a move for Armstrong,[22] and that they were also interested in some of the club's other youngsters.[23] This was later dismissed as "speculation" by Celtic Manager Neil Lennon.[24]

In April 2014 he was nominated for the 2013–14 PFA Scotland's Young Player of the Year award, in the Premiership section.[25] He was also selected to the 2013–14 Premiership PFA Scotland Team of the Year.[26]

During the 2014–15 season, Armstrong continued to be orchestrator of United's excellent moves.[27] He scored once and claimed two assists in November 2014 in wins over Kilmarnock[27] and Motherwell.[28] Armstrong scored twice more in league victories in December 2014 against Ross County[29] and Celtic.[30] He also registered assists in back-to-back matches in December 2014, in the defeat of Celtic[30] and then the league defeat to St Johnstone[31] In January 2015, Armstrong claimed a further two league goals and three assists in victories against Dundee[32] and Hamilton Accies[33] and another league goal in a draw with St Mirren.[34] His last match for Dundee United came in a New Firm derby defeat of Aberdeen to help United reach the final of the Scottish League Cup on 31 January 2015.[35]

Armstrong made 150 appearances, starting 109 matches, and scored 22 goals in all competitions for Dundee United before joining Celtic.[35][36]

Celtic

2014–15

In January 2015 Dundee United turned down two transfer offers from Celtic for Armstrong,[37] however the transfer was completed on 2 February 2015, alongside fellow Dundee United player Gary Mackay-Steven.[38] Armstrong denied requesting the transfer.[39] Both players would be ineligible for the remaining Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup ties as Celtic chased a domestic treble.[38] Armstrong and Mackay-Steven were later given the nickname Zig and Zag by the staff at Celtic.[40]

Armstrong scored on his Celtic debut in a 3-0 league victory at Partick Thistle on 11 February 2015.[41] He gave Celtic a 2-0 lead after fellow debutante Gary Mackay-Steven opened the scoring.[41] Armstrong made his Celtic Park and European debut in a 3-3 draw with Inter Milan in the UEFA Europa League on 19 February 2015.[42][43]

2015–16

Armstrong made his first appearance of the 2015–16 season, in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round first leg tie against Stjarnan, assisting the second goal in a 2–0 home win.[44][45] He scored his first goals of the season with a second-half brace, in a 4–2 league win against Inverness CT on August 15.[46][47] He claimed assists in back-to-back matches in January, in wins against Dundee United and Hamilton, the latter result was an 8–1 home victory, the biggest recorded league win since the formation of the Scottish Premiership in 2013.[48][49] His next goal came in a 3–1 league defeat of St Johnstone four days later. [50][51]

International career

Armstrong has represented Scotland at under-19 and under-21 levels.[52][53] On 21 May 2013, Armstrong was called up for the national team, alongside team-mate Gary Mackay-Steven.[54] He was called up again by the national team in August 2015.[55]

Career statistics

As of 30 April 2016[56]
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dundee United 2010–11 110000000110
2011–12 231302000281
2012–13 363402010433
2013–14 3685320004311
2014–15 206103000246
Total 12618133901014921
Celtic 2014–15 151000021172
2015–16 2230010110343
Total 3740010131515
Career Total 1632213310014120026

Honours

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 "Dundee United starlet Stuart Armstrong: I want last laugh on school pal Fraser Fyvie". Daily Record. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Arabs youngster Stuart Armstrong in no rush to seek dream move to English top-flight". Daily Record. 22 September 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "Dundee United’s Stuart Armstrong favours law course over golf course". The Courier. 3 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Dundee United's Stuart Armstrong reveals he's studying for a law degree to stave off boredom". Daily Record. 3 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "Stuart Armstrong Dundee United Profile". Dundee United Official Website. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  6. ↑ Dundee United F.C. profile
  7. ↑ "Dundee Utd 2 – 0 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "Peter Houston happy at impact of Dundee United subs". BBC Sport. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "St Mirren 2–2 Dundee United". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 December 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  10. ↑ "Dundee United extend contracts for Armstrong and Watson". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "Dundee United boss Peter Houston tips Stuart Armstrong to be next big thing". Daily Record. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  12. ↑ "Dundee United goal hero Stuart Armstrong apologises to Jon Daly for nicking winner". Daily Record. 25 November 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  13. ↑ "Peter Houston salutes Dundee United's spirit after 2–1 win over Ross County". Sky Sports. 25 November 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  14. 1 2 "Stuart Armstrong and Derek Adams collect February SPL awards". Daily Record. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  15. ↑ "Griffiths, Higdon, Shinnie & McGinn on SPFA shortlist". BBC Sport. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "Motherwell striker Michael Higdon lands PFA Scotland Player of the Year award". Daily Record. 6 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  17. 1 2 "Young Player of the Year Stuart Armstrong looks push on at Tannadice". Daily Record. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  18. ↑ "Hibernian 1 Dundee United 1: Honours even but greater degree of relief for hosts as they learn to hustle". Herald Scotland. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  19. ↑ "Dundee Utd 4-0 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  20. ↑ "Dundee United aim to tie up key trio on extended contracts". BBC Sport. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  21. ↑ "Scottish football: Stuart Armstrong signs one-year contract extension with Dundee United". Sky Sports. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  22. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Celtic considering move for Dundee United midfielder Armstrong". Daily Mail. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  23. ↑ "Celtic boss Neil Lennon eyes up move for Dundee United superkids as he looks to the future". Daily Record. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  24. ↑ "Georgios Samaras: Neil Lennon not giving up on Celtic striker". BBC Sport. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  25. ↑ "Three Celtic players make PFA player of year shortlist". BBC Sport. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  26. 1 2 3 "Celtic and Dundee United trios in SPFL Premiership team of year". BBC Sport. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  27. 1 2 Dundee United 3-1 Kilmarnock BBC Sport. 22-11-2014. Retrieved 07-05-2015.
  28. ↑ Motherwell 1-2 Dundee United BBC Sport. 29-11-2014. Retrieved 07-05-2015.
  29. ↑ Dundee United 3-2 Ross County BBC Sport. 05-12-2014. Retrieved 07-05-2015.
  30. 1 2 Dundee United 2-1 Celtic BBC Sport. 21-12-2014. Retrieved 05-05-2015.
  31. ↑ St Johnstone 2-1 BBC Sport. 2014. Retrieved 07-05-2015.
  32. ↑ Dundee United 6-2 Dundee BBC Sport. 01-01-2014. Retrieved 07-05-2015.
  33. ↑ Hamilton Accies 2-3 Dundee United BBC Sport. 12-01-2014. Retrieved 07-05-2015.
  34. ↑ St Mirren 1-1 Dundee United BBC Sport. 21-01-2014. Retrieved 07-05-2015.
  35. 1 2 Celtic sign Stuart Armstrong & Gary Mackay-Steven The Scotsman. 03-02-2015. Retrieved 05-05-2015.
  36. ↑ Stuart Armstrong profile Arab Arachive. Retrieved 05-05-2015.
  37. ↑ Jim Spence (29 January 2015). "Stuart Armstrong: Dundee United reject Celtic and Burnley bids". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  38. 1 2 Jim Spence (2 February 2015). "Stuart Armstrong & Gary Mackay-Steven join Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  39. ↑ Alasdair Lamont (3 February 2015). "Celtic: Stuart Armstrong denies Dundee United exit request". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  40. ↑ Stuart Armstrong settles in with Celtic nickname The Scotsman. 14-02-2015. Retrieved 05-05-2015.
  41. 1 2 Partick Thistle 0 Celtic 3 Daily Record. 12-02-2015. Retrieved 03-05-2015.
  42. ↑ Celtic's Stuart Armstrong: Inter fightback was incredible but title is still top priority Daily Record. 21-02-2015. Retrieved 03-05-2015.
  43. ↑ Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong make Euro debuts for Hoops STV Sport. 19-02-2015. Retrieved 03-05-2015.
  44. ↑ "Celtic 2:0 Stjarnan". BBC. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  45. ↑ "Stuart Armstrong in 2015/2016". Soccer Base. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  46. ↑ "Celtic 4:2 Inverness CT". BBC. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  47. ↑ "Celtic 4-2 Inverness: Armstrong double seals Hoops win". Sky Sports. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  48. ↑ "Dundee Utd 1:4 Celtic". BBC. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  49. ↑ "Celtic 8:1 Hamilton Accies". BBC. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  50. ↑ "Celtic 3:1 St Johnstone". BBC. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  51. ↑ "Celtic 3 - 1 St Johnstone: Bhoys restore six point lead". The Scotsman. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  52. ↑ SFA U19 profile
  53. ↑ SFA U21 profile
  54. ↑ "Dundee United’s Stuart Armstrong called up to Scotland squad". The Courier. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  55. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34040001
  56. ↑ Stuart Armstrong career statistics at Soccerbase
  57. ↑ "Armstrong presented with Player of the Month gong". Arab Trust. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
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