Scotland v Canada: Celtic's Stuart Armstrong ready for first cap, says Brendan Rodgers
Last updated on .From the section Football
International friendly: Scotland v Canada |
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Date: Wednesday 22 March Venue: Easter Road, Edinburgh Kick-off: 19:45 GMT |
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland 810MW/DAB/online; live text commentary on BBC Sport website |
Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong is ready for a Scotland debut, according to club manager Brendan Rodgers.
The uncapped 24-year-old midfielder scored his 12th goal of the season in Sunday's 2-1 win away to Dundee.
Asked if Armstrong should be a candidate to face Canada on Wednesday, Rodgers said: "Yes, I think so.
"He has all the tools to play at the top level of international football in a really quick game, so he certainly can go in and play."
Armstrong, who was a regular with Scotland Under-21s, was last in the senior squad in 2015 but was forced to withdraw before a double-header against Georgia and Germany because of injury.
The former Dundee United midfielder has benefitted from a return to a central midfield role since Rodgers took over at Celtic and has been included in Gordon Strachan's squad to face Canada ahead of next Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.
"There are obviously good players with Scotland and in that part of the field," admitted Rodgers.
"The one thing I will say is that I have always believed that international football is about technique, speed, mobility and a tactical awareness - and he has got those elements.
"He has this inbuilt brain to score goals and different types of goals.
"He is a big talent and he is only going one way, which is nice for Celtic and Scotland."
Armstrong's chances of playing have been enhanced by injuries to West Brom duo Matt Phillips and James Morrison, plus Crystal Palace's James McArthur, but the Celtic midfielder was more reticent about his debut prospects.
"I will hopefully be taking my Celtic form into training," he said.
"The last time I was called in was a while ago and I had to pull out through injury, which was frustrating.
"It has taken a while to get back in and I am very excited and looking forward to it.
"Playing the Champions League was a great experience and you learn a lot from big occasions like that.
"Every player wants to represent their country and I am sure it will be a special moment if I do pull on the jersey."
Meanwhile, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes praised Kenny McLean for following the disappointment of missing out on the Scotland squad with a man-of the-match performance against Hearts on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who has one Scotland cap, outshone Greece international Alexandros Tziolis in midfield as the Dons won 2-0.
"We spoke about it before the game," said McInnes. "It was important for Kenny to demonstrate the same level of performance - and certainly the same approach to the game.
"Kenny was playing in a high gear. He was pressing, running beyond the strikers, crossing and shooting. He's done everything but score.
"He was disappointed, but he's channelled it in the right way."
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Posted by
markthelegendkid
Seriously?
Is this even worthy of an article??
Well, given that you have taken the time to go to your keyboard and type out a post, I would think that the answer to your question is Yes!
2. Posted by ohyes on
9 minutes ago
oh yes the world renowned Canadian football team. Should be a cracking competitive warm up fixture
It could be ugly, but it could also be a positive experience.
(A neutral)
~ XIX
Is this even worthy of an article??
My granny is overweight and can hardly walk now and even she could get into the Scotland national team...
LAUGHABLE
His sale along with Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic for peanuts really put my local side into the championship .
πΎπΎπΎπΎππ
It won't be an easy game.
Scott arfield with a lot to prove and a couple of Canadian teams in the mls who are getting better. It will be a good test one that the players should relish. A win for Scotland would be just the boost they need going into the Slovenia game.
If McArthur and Morrison are out then Mclean should be called up, he's been playing to a high standard and deserves another chance.
And Warnock,Wenger still has . Nothing illegal .
In Dundee uniteds case, they were on the up . Dundee united were a small threat . Celtic killed off that threat by taking best two players . The owners decision . Gary had already signed a pre contact with Celtic . His contract was ending .