Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Kerrydale Street. We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.

If you decide to register, please be aware that we don't accept email addresses from free web accounts like gmail, Hotmail, live.co.uk etc. Sorry, but almost all of the abuse and spam that we get is from free web accounts. The software on the forum will automatically block any requests using a free email account.

Upon Registration, you will be given access to all our varied Forums, and you will be expected to comply with our fairly stringent Rules and Regulations. Meantime, enjoy your visit

If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Stuart Armstrong; 'Fishel: Signs for Southampton on a 4 year deal.
Topic Started: 18 Oct 2015, 09:50 PM (731,129 Views)
Forza
Considering retirement
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
The thing with Armstrong is that it's bad enough to potentially lose him from a Celtic perspective. But he'd be potentially heading to the Premier League to become bit part, as a Scottish midfielder at a good age who's recently made himself a first pick for the national team.

Seen it so many times before. Players leave a good thing, become bit part down south, and the national team is down a good player on form, because they are playing irregularly. There will be plenty on here who couldn't care less about that, but you don't need to look too far for evidence of where it goes wrong for the national team (aware there's more than one problem) when you've got several starters who've maybe played the equivalent of 2 games in 10 for their club side.

Fair enough, he'd no doubt be confident enough to go down there and become a regular in a team like Southampton's, but it's hardly a guarantee.

Delaying it at least a year seems logical from a playing perspective, if not from a financial one. With a weighty new contract at Celtic, we could ask for a fair old price next summer, and presumably that would partly be reflected in the terms he's then offered by the buying club.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dubz
Getting on a bit
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I'm still confident he will sign on again. He's a clever boy and knows his progress will continue under Rodgers.
This he only played well for a few months is not really true. He started being in the first 11 regularly late October/November but his performances when coming on as sub were good more often than not. He more than deserved his starting slot.
He was outstanding v sevco in September when he came on just after halftime.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
He Cometh
First name on the team-sheet
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Flawless
13 Jul 2017, 10:59 AM
He Cometh
13 Jul 2017, 10:57 AM
Flawless
13 Jul 2017, 10:53 AM

Quoting limited to 3 levels deep
He is unknown to you maybe that means nothing about his ability.
Of course it doesn't. He might be the next Del Piero. He might be the next Juarez.



For Brendan to spend £4.5m of our cash (and from what I've read about him) my money's on the former.

He certainly plays the exact same way as Armstrong, box to box, can play deeper but prefers playing further forward.

I'll stand by my assertion that if needed he could easily step into Armstrongs role.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Flawless
Member Avatar
Fatboab shirt designer
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
He Cometh
13 Jul 2017, 11:03 AM
Flawless
13 Jul 2017, 10:59 AM
He Cometh
13 Jul 2017, 10:57 AM

Quoting limited to 3 levels deep
Of course it doesn't. He might be the next Del Piero. He might be the next Juarez.



For Brendan to spend £4.5m of our cash (and from what I've read about him) my money's on the former.

He certainly plays the exact same way as Armstrong, box to box, can play deeper but prefers playing further forward.

I'll stand by my assertion that if needed he could easily step into Armstrongs role.
Let's hope so.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Forza
Considering retirement
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Big Drew
13 Jul 2017, 10:59 AM
james95
13 Jul 2017, 10:47 AM
Big Drew
13 Jul 2017, 10:45 AM

Quoting limited to 3 levels deep
He wasn't very good the season before that. That's a very simplistic view.
We're better with Rogic playing behind the striker. We have McGregor and Ntcham too. Its no disaster IF he goes.
Sometimes we are, sometimes we are not. That's the nature of football. Don't see the need for sweeping statements when they are patently not true all of the time. 17 goals and 7 assists in 43 games is a lot to replace from midfield.

When Armstrong was on his game last season (which was a lot), we were a far slicker side (Paddy helped immeasurably too). His contribution at Ibrox on Hogmanay was absolutely immense and had everything you would want from a midfielder. More dimensional than you would get from Bitton or Brown for example. For me, it only made it better that it was coming from a Scottish lad.

Everybody remembers Moussa from that day because of his goal and keeping the ball down the corner for what felt like 20 minutes. But Armstrong was head and shoulders that day, and it wasn't the only time over the season.

In a summer where it looks like we won't have Paddy back, it would be a shame to lose another good technical player at the same time.

On purely last season alone, big shoes to fill, and I don't really see any point in people denying it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Big Drew
Rio Fergus McCann CSC
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Forza
13 Jul 2017, 11:08 AM
Big Drew
13 Jul 2017, 10:59 AM
james95
13 Jul 2017, 10:47 AM

Quoting limited to 3 levels deep
We're better with Rogic playing behind the striker. We have McGregor and Ntcham too. Its no disaster IF he goes.
Sometimes we are, sometimes we are not. That's the nature of football. Don't see the need for sweeping statements when they are patently not true all of the time. 17 goals and 7 assists in 43 games is a lot to replace from midfield.

When Armstrong was on his game last season (which was a lot), we were a far slicker side (Paddy helped immeasurably too). His contribution at Ibrox on Hogmanay was absolutely immense and had everything you would want from a midfielder. More dimensional than you would get from Bitton or Brown for example. For me, it only made it better that it was coming from a Scottish lad.

Everybody remembers Moussa from that day because of his goal and keeping the ball down the corner for what felt like 20 minutes. But Armstrong was head and shoulders that day, and it wasn't the only time over the season.

In a summer where it looks like we won't have Paddy back, it would be a shame to lose another good technical player at the same time.

On purely last season alone, big shoes to fill, and I don't really see any point in people denying it.
Im not denying it. But its no big deal.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bobby Peru
Member Avatar
The Maestro

Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CaltonBhoy1967
Member Avatar
Billy McNeill - "Mr Celtic"
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Armstrong is a very important player for us now but is not irreplaceable - Until Rodgers's got Armstrong playing well not many would have been that fussed if he went the way of GMS :Bye: albeit he has always been a better player than him.

Would really like him to stay and try and kick on again with Celtic due to said importance but if the dosh or whatever lures him away so be it - Fwiw I don't think he will necessarily do as well with Southampton or whoever as he did with us - Rodgers was absolutely pivotal in the improvement in Armstrong.

Rodgers is aware that Brown is fitter than most of his age and will hopefully play at his current level for few seasons more for Celtic but he is 32 and there will come a time down the line that he won't play every game and Rodgers has talked about this - The "top of his game" Armstrong could lead us but Rodgers has real belief in Eboue (unlike a lot on Kds) and Nitcham is as has been pointed out by others a Unit with a box to box engine who can see and pick a pass.

Armstrong stays we will be fine - Armstrong leaves he will be replaced (not easily) but in Brendan We Trust and again we will be fine. :thumbsup:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Flawless
Member Avatar
Fatboab shirt designer
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
:theclap:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ronny_is_not_da_man
Member Avatar
Off treasure hunting in Holland
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
Why is it fanciful BP? Midfield is a popular position so there's a massive pool to choose from if you need a replacement.

Me personally I hope he stays but if he leaves it's no big deal. There are replacements out there so it's a question of picking wisely.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ronny_is_not_da_man
Member Avatar
Off treasure hunting in Holland
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Flawless
13 Jul 2017, 11:45 AM
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
:theclap:
:lol: Like a dog with a bone the day bud
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Smiley
Member Avatar
Off treasure hunting in Holland
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
ronny_is_not_da_man
13 Jul 2017, 11:46 AM
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
Why is it fanciful BP? Midfield is a popular position so there's a massive pool to choose from if you need a replacement.

Me personally I hope he stays but if he leaves it's no big deal. There are replacements out there so it's a question of picking wisely.
The bit about the record amount of goals scored from midfield is telling. When was the last time we had someone score so many goals from his position? If he's so easily replaced why is it so rare?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bobby Peru
Member Avatar
The Maestro

ronny_is_not_da_man
13 Jul 2017, 11:46 AM
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
Why is it fanciful BP? Midfield is a popular position so there's a massive pool to choose from if you need a replacement.

Me personally I hope he stays but if he leaves it's no big deal. There are replacements out there so it's a question of picking wisely.
The fact that is a case of 'picking wisely' proves he isn't easy to replace. We've lost better players than him in the past and flourished but the idea we just flick through a footballer catalogue, go to the 'goal scoring midfielder' section and choose one isn't how it works.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Forza
Considering retirement
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
ronny_is_not_da_man
13 Jul 2017, 11:46 AM
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
Why is it fanciful BP? Midfield is a popular position so there's a massive pool to choose from if you need a replacement.

Me personally I hope he stays but if he leaves it's no big deal. There are replacements out there so it's a question of picking wisely.
Because you don't replace 15 league goals (none of which were penalties) in 31 league games "easily", regardless of how attacking a team Celtic are. Looking at purely numbers from any Celtic era will tell you that.

There seems to be a thesis here that purely Rodgers and others in the team created the conditions that allowed Armstrong to flourish. Not that he had any part in making that happen himself through hard work, good attitude, game intelligence and technical ability.

It is completely wrong. He's an accomplished player. Losing him and Roberts in the same summer would be a considerable blow.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CaltonBhoy1967
Member Avatar
Billy McNeill - "Mr Celtic"
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
Good point on his goals. :thumbsup:

Rodgers talks of the fact he wants his teams to be capable of scoring from all over the park which is in effect what we had last season but we do need a box to box midfield player who can get on the end of the build up play ad score - Armstrong is as pointed out excellent at that.

Stat re most goals from central midfield in our history I don't agree - Dalglish had several seasons in midfield whereby he scored many more than Armstrong.

Jimmy McMenemy had a season whereby he got 23 iirc from midfield.

There are possibly others.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ste
Member Avatar
The Eagle Has Landed
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:50 AM
ronny_is_not_da_man
13 Jul 2017, 11:46 AM
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
Why is it fanciful BP? Midfield is a popular position so there's a massive pool to choose from if you need a replacement.

Me personally I hope he stays but if he leaves it's no big deal. There are replacements out there so it's a question of picking wisely.
The fact that is a case of 'picking wisely' proves he isn't easy to replace. We've lost better players than him in the past and flourished but the idea we just flick through a footballer catalogue, go to the 'goal scoring midfielder' section and choose one isn't how it works.
Armstrong has only been a goalscoring midfielder for us for about 6 months since 2015.

He had a great season - there is no disputing that - but we can't guarantee he'll do the same next season.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Quiet Assasin
Member Avatar
..for the maintenance of dinner tables for the children and the unemployed
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
It's that song that's driven him away.

Bastards.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bobby Peru
Member Avatar
The Maestro

Ste
13 Jul 2017, 11:53 AM
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:50 AM
ronny_is_not_da_man
13 Jul 2017, 11:46 AM

Quoting limited to 3 levels deep
The fact that is a case of 'picking wisely' proves he isn't easy to replace. We've lost better players than him in the past and flourished but the idea we just flick through a footballer catalogue, go to the 'goal scoring midfielder' section and choose one isn't how it works.
Armstrong has only been a goalscoring midfielder for us for about 6 months since 2015.

He had a great season - there is no disputing that - but we can't guarantee he'll do the same next season.
I did say I accept last season could well prove to his peak. To be fair to him though it's the only time he's had an extended run in his preferrred position.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
riddlehouse
Member Avatar
Retired and now a BT Sports pundit
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:50 AM
ronny_is_not_da_man
13 Jul 2017, 11:46 AM
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
Why is it fanciful BP? Midfield is a popular position so there's a massive pool to choose from if you need a replacement.

Me personally I hope he stays but if he leaves it's no big deal. There are replacements out there so it's a question of picking wisely.
The fact that is a case of 'picking wisely' proves he isn't easy to replace. We've lost better players than him in the past and flourished but the idea we just flick through a footballer catalogue, go to the 'goal scoring midfielder' section and choose one isn't how it works.
Actually, that's kind of what scouts are for. Then all the money we make allows us to get one of the guys from the book.

You do realise Celtic literally have a book of players, with attributes and stats listed?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Bobby Peru
Member Avatar
The Maestro

CaltonBhoy1967
13 Jul 2017, 11:52 AM
Bobby Peru
13 Jul 2017, 11:37 AM
Armstrong is an exceptional finisher. Look at how many of his goals are placed away from the keeper, not just lashed in. He scored more goals from central midfield last season than anyone in our history. I accept that it may turn out that last term was the peak of his career but the idea that he can be easily replaced is fanciful to say he least and smacks of people preparing themselves for the player leaving.
Good point on his goals. :thumbsup:

Rodgers talks of the fact he wants his teams to be capable of scoring from all over the park which is in effect what we had last season but we do need a box to box midfield player who can get on the end of the build up play ad score - Armstrong is as pointed out excellent at that.

Stat re most goals from central midfield in our history I don't agree - Dalglish had several seasons in midfield whereby he scored many more than Armstrong.

Jimmy McMenemy had a season whereby he got 23 iirc from midfield.

There are possibly others.
Yeah, at a stretch you could include Commons too. Even if we keep it to 1980 onwards then he outscored the likes of McLeod, Petrov, Naka, Lubo and erm McGinlay :lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Celtic Football Club Discussion Forum · Next Topic »
Add Reply