Brendan Rodgers has revealed how Stuart Armstrong used Celtic’s pre-season trip to Slovenia to get his career back on track.
The former Dundee United midfielder was one of many who struggled last season under Ronny Deila as the spirit seemed to drain out of everything around Celtic Park.
When he took over from Deila, Rodgers inherited almost a whole team of midfielders with the need to reduce numbers very obvious.
James Forrest and Tom Rogic earned new contracts at the start of the season with Armstrong using his time in Slovenia to state his case to Rodgers and convince him that playing in central midfield was his best role.
“We spoke to him a lot in pre-season in terms of his position and where he felt most comfortable,” the Celtic boss admitted. “And at that time it was maybe difficult for him to get a game in his preferred position.
“But what he has done, each day from that, he has looked to improve and understand the tactical element of playing on the inside. He’s got a wonderful intelligence. He’s a good footballer, Stuart, and he’s improving tactically all the time.
“Technically he is strong, his finish on Wednesday night I see in training every day. He has a wonderful strike in him, different types of finishes.
“Physically he is very good. Our first goal came from his ability to press the ball very quickly, and his goal, he spotted the space and showed great speed.”
Rodgers’ praise will be music to the ears of Armstrong who looked a fantastic prospect as he emerged at Dundee United.
As soon as he moved to Celtic in February 2015 he went straight into the team being used mainly as an attacking left midfielder in Deila’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
That same set up has worked a treat under Rodgers with the emphasis firmly placed around pacey, attack minded players.
Seeing a player adapt to a new role and have conviction in their own ability has also been a rewarding experience for the Celtic manager.
“He is a player I really enjoy working with,” Rodgers added. “He is super-bright and thinks about the game and his role in the team.
“He is starting to flourish now and it’s down to him, getting the confidence to play the role, understand his job. Anywhere centrally where he can use his power and pace to break forward, that’s his best position. Hopefully over the coming years you will really see the best of him.
“If he keeps improving and showing those levels, there is absolutely no question he is a player that can feature for his national team.”