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Stuart Armstrong; 'Fishel: Signs for Southampton on a 4 year deal.
Topic Started: 18 Oct 2015, 09:50 PM (731,128 Views)
BombJack
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He twists, he turns, Tommy Burns...
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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.
Agreed. I had Armstrong right up there for POTY.
Sinc may have got most headlines, but in many respects Armstrong was as important, if not more so.
Especially later on in the season when we were getting down to the brass tacks of an invincible treble.
Where Sinc, for me had started to run out of gas, Armstrong was still there, and springing up with very telling goals.
It would be a real shame if we lost him at this stage, just when he seems to be really getting a handle on life at Celtic, and being a mainstay in the side.
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ronny_is_not_da_man
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Off treasure hunting in Holland
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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.
Isn't that what our scouting team is responsible for BP? Identifying players that fit a certain criteria and recommending them to a manager.

There will be players that fit that criteria out there. In our price range? Who knows but let the scouts earn their money and find them if needed.
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Forza
Considering retirement
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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.
Hang on now. Remember, he only had a good quarter season, or half season. At best. And didn't do it in Yoorup either. Or at Tynecastle. Or against Albion Rovers.

The standard Armstrong appears to be held to compared to some others seems directly proportional to the extent he was completely written off by many the previous season. Like that has to be justified somehow.

It's like there's an undercurrent of resentment that people might have been wrong about him, and now that he apparently has options elsewhere, it's no biggie if that's the case.

Life will go no if/when he leaves. We may even flourish. But he's clearly not a player the vast majority would opt to see leave this summer given the season he has had.
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ronan cfc
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True it would be extremely hard to replace that amount of goals from a midfielder. No question about it. But this time last year there was a lot of talk about how we couldn't replace Griffiths and his 40 goals only for us to get a guy that would end up scoring less but the team would be far better for it. You can always get a different player.

If Armstrong goes it's highly unlikely we'd instantly get a 17 goal midfielder but we could get someone that would improve on his 7 assists or his passing in the group stage which was the lowest out of our deeper midfielders.

I still think he'll stay as it makes the most sense for him.
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modest mouse
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I do like Armstrong a lot and whilst the club are obviously bigger, he would be a significant loss, especially as I think he will only get better in our team and working for Brendan.

In saying that, he should stop being a wee dick and get that contract effing signed. He's hardly going to be a pauper if he doesn't get exactly what he wants.
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Wilfred Benitez
Whatever it is, love'll fix it...
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I'd love to know what the sticking point is. Some have suggested it is length of contract, but I really have no idea why the standard 4 years would be an issue.

it the terms are otherwise agreeable, then Celtic have every right to protect their opportunity to make money if he goes, because replacing him would be costly.
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McStay
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Forza
13 Jul 2017, 11:52 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.
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.
:potm:
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puroresu_boy
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Replacing Armstrong would be no easy feat at all. He had a terrific season and his goals were very important. High goal scoring midfielders are not easy to find, especially in the market we operate in.
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Franakamura
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Can see the contempt for Armstrong seeping out from some quarters already just in case he leaves.

Lets be honest, Armstrong if a very good player, has the potential to be a tremendous player.

A centre midfielder with his energy, ability and finishing are very hard to find.

Two points mentioned above, he never just blasts it, always places it with both feet and to lose him and Roberts in one summer would be a blow.
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Stringer Bell
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Getting on a bit
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Wilfred Benitez
13 Jul 2017, 12:20 PM
I'd love to know what the sticking point is. Some have suggested it is length of contract, but I really have no idea why the standard 4 years would be an issue.

it the terms are otherwise agreeable, then Celtic have every right to protect their opportunity to make money if he goes, because replacing him would be costly.
I think the sticking point is that he actually wants to leave.
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Hail!Hail!
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Franakamura
13 Jul 2017, 12:51 PM
Can see the contempt for Armstrong seeping out from some quarters already just in case he leaves.

Lets be honest, Armstrong if a very good player, has the potential to be a tremendous player.

A centre midfielder with his energy, ability and finishing are very hard to find.

Two points mentioned above, he never just blasts it, always places it with both feet and to lose him and Roberts in one summer would be a blow.
He only showed the form that made us believe that for 4 to 6 months.

Lets be honest, his career wasn't going anywhere until Rodgers arrived, so to be allegedly playing hardball over a new contract from that very guy - that can breed contempt.
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wigwam
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The Commons factor ( :twitch: ) is a good one. We haven't replaced his goals by an individual coming and in doing the same. yet we scored more goals last season.

His replacement might bring something to the table he doesn't. Could improve the team.
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SwavBhoy
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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.
On the money there. It would be extremely difficult to find a centre mid to come in and contribute that many goals, without spunking millions. He scored a striker's amount of goals.

If he's reluctant to sign for too much longer in the window, then he's got to go. Very precarious position we're in. BR knows that.
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mick82
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Don't have any info on the situation but, personally, I'm really surprised that he's minded to go somewhere else at this stage.

In a year or two I could understand it more. Maybe he's had a ridiculous offer of cash elsewhere but it's pretty rare that we lose guys before we think it's the right time. Don't think anyone of the last few EPL departees left before they'd had at least two very productive seasons with us. Maloney was maybe the one who went "too soon".

SA will have his own views but I'll be a bit surprised if he decides to make the switch at this point
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ChiliPepper
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I'm starting to shampooe it.

FFS Stuart, sign. I love you. Please stay.
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Kingslim
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Celtic should make their position clear and give him a deadline. If he doesn't sign, then punt him.

Players don't exactly hand back some of their wage when they're not playing well. It cuts both ways.

I hope he stays but the club shouldn't be held to ransom by a player who is just starting to make his way in the game. Celtic gave him the platform to fulfil his potential.

I'd be shocked if he wanted to leave at this point. I still think he will sign a new deal
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subtle_anxiety
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Just sign up you handsome bastard.
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McStay
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wigwam
13 Jul 2017, 01:26 PM
The Commons factor ( :twitch: ) is a good one. We haven't replaced his goals by an individual coming and in doing the same. yet we scored more goals last season.

His replacement might bring something to the table he doesn't. Could improve the team.
What is it Armstrong doesn't bring to the team? For me he's a pretty well rounded midfielder. He's a great goalscorer, he creates, he has good technique and he has a good engine. I think he's one of the most important players in the team and would be gutted if we lost him.
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Haitch
Considering retirement
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McStay
13 Jul 2017, 01:56 PM
wigwam
13 Jul 2017, 01:26 PM
The Commons factor ( :twitch: ) is a good one. We haven't replaced his goals by an individual coming and in doing the same. yet we scored more goals last season.

His replacement might bring something to the table he doesn't. Could improve the team.
What is it Armstrong doesn't bring to the team? For me he's a pretty well rounded midfielder. He's a great goalscorer, he creates, he has good technique and he has a good engine. I think he's one of the most important players in the team and would be gutted if we lost him.
Completely agree and I think he influenced games well too. If Brown is missing Armstrong for me influences the team more than McGregor Rogic and Bitton. I suspect that was the reasoning Rodgers gave him the armband a couple of times.
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Dhogtanian
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Stuart Armstrong is easily irreplaceable.
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