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	Central 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	12	(1)
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 14:15, 26 April 2015 (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 central 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 January 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 won the SFWA Young Player of the Year award in 2013 and has twice been named in the Scottish Premiership Team 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]

Celtic

In January 2015 Dundee United turned two transfer offers from Celtic for Armstrong,^[27] however the transfer was completed on 2 February 2015, alongside fellow Dundee United player Gary Mackay-Steven.^[28] Armstrong denied requesting the transfer.^[29]

International career

Armstrong has represented Scotland at under-19 and under-21 levels.^[30][31] On 21 May 2013, Armstrong was called up for the national team, alongside team-mate Gary Mackay-Steven.^[32]

Career statistics

As of 26 April 2015^[33]

Honours

• SPL Young Player of the Month: February 2013^[14]
• ArabTRUST's September 2012 Player of the Month award: October 2012^[34]
• SFWA Young Player of the Year: 2012–13^[17]

References