Much as one hates to see anyone leaving Celtic, particularly one of the calibre of Stuart Armstrong, there was something inevitable about this one, and we wish him well.
He leaves with loads of good memories, and he will always have the 2016/17 season to look back on, and we, for our part will look back on his performances in that season with nothing other than pleasure and delight. Last season, however, there was an injury problem (hopefully now resolved) but there was also something about the way that Stuart played that made me, at least, think that possibly his heart wasn’t in it. Like a true professional, he always did his best, but maybe his head had been turned by the thought of the silly money available down south? He is not a Celt by birth or upbringing, and maybe that has something to do with it as well?
He arrived in 2015 as part of the Dundee United “suicide wish” when they more or less dismantled their team to earn relegation! He has now won four League medals, two Scottish Cup medals and two Scottish League Cup medals with Celtic. That is not a bad haul, and he has deservedly been capped for Scotland as well.
But oh! The Invincible season! My favourite moment will still be up at Inverness when with everyone pushing and jostling in the box, and as referee Andrew Dallas taking great pains to separate the silly nonsense that was going on, Stuart stood calmly waiting and then when at last he was given permission to take the kick, did so and scored! That one was amusing as well as brilliant. Not only that, but there were all these goals from the edge of the box, often at key times and in key games, not least in the Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen when Celtic were reeling from Johnny Hayes putting the Dons ahead.
So thank you, Stuart Armstrong, but are you really doing the right thing? OK, you’re in the land of the big money, but I think the medals will dry up. Difficult to imagine anyone using words like “invincible” and “double treble” in the context of Southampton!
Anyway, he is away. Celtic must now act quickly to replace him. John McGinn is a fairly blatant candidate. He loves us and we could easily love him, I think. Do it quickly, Brendan!
David Potter
Listen to Part 2 of The Jimmy Johnstone Academy with A Celtic State of Mind below and if you missed part one that is a little further down. This is emotional stuff so don’t be surprised if you shed a tear or two while listening.
