Simon Donnelly backs ‘unusual and intelligent’ Stuart Armstrong to be a success in the Premier League as Celtic exit nears

SIMON DONNELLY has backed Scotland star Stuart Armstrong to shine in the English Premier League.

The Celtic midfielder is on the verge of completing a move to Southampton after the clubs agreed a £7m fee for the player, who is in the final year of his contract.

And Donnelly, who was assistant manager at Dundee United when Armstrong made the switch from Tannadice to Parkhead in January, 2015, has no doubts the 26-year-old has what it takes to be a major success in the English top flight.

“When you compare Stuart to other footballers, he is unusual,” the former Celtic striker said.

“He has a law degree and is intelligent. He is a quiet lad, unassuming and was a fantastic lad to work with at Dundee United.

“I was delighted he got the platform to go to Celtic and prove how good he was. He’s got himself in the national side, too.

“Over the next few years I think he will be one of the main players for Scotland.

“It’s going to be a learning experience at Southampton.

“Stuart will find it a big change. But I think he is good enough to go and handle himself and that pace to burn is such an important attribute.

“Look at Virgil van Dijk. He got his move to Liverpool. Andy Robertson went to Hull and did the same.

“Stuart could take off in the same way. He is 26, so he is not even at his peak.

“If he goes there and has a good season or two, he could end up with one of the top-six clubs.”

Armstrong has won four league titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups during his time at Celtic, and his decision to join a side that finished just above the relegation zone in the Premier League last season has raised a few eyebrows.

However, Donnelly, who himself swapped Celtic for the English top flight in 1999 as he joined Sheffield Wednesday on a Bosman, says the money on offer down south makes a move hard to turn down.

He said: “I left at 24 after seven great years at Celtic, so I can’t judge Stuart’s choice. What he has contributed at Celtic has been phenomenal.

“I got it in the neck because I had six months to go. With Stuart I think it’s more amicable because the fans will look at what he has contributed.

“He has scored a lot of goals, and he’s scored goals against Rangers. He has turned up in big games and been a fantastic player for Celtic.

“He has been part of two Treble-winning teams. He now has the opportunity to go and play in the Premier League and you can’t knock him for that.

“The only thing I would say is that this is a really successful period for Celtic.

“They are three titles away from total history – the 10 – and I would imagine most players would want to be part of that.

“But I can understand his move. It’s a short career and he’ll be getting a good contract to go and play in the Premier League.”

Losing Armstrong could be a blow to Celtic’s Champions League preparations, with their First Qualifying Round tie against Armenian side Alashkert just over two weeks away.

However, Donnelly believes the Hoops don’t have far to look to find a ready-made replacement for Armstrong in the Celtic midfield.

“Midfield is a strong area for Brendan Rodgers. But I would be very surprised if they don’t go for John McGinn. I’ve said it for a while – I think he is a Celtic player,” Donnelly said of Hibernian’s Scotland internationalist.

“I was misquoted before as saying he was a successor to Scott Brown, and would be sitting on the bench.

“I don’t think that. I think he is good enough to go right into the Celtic team.

“I think he would be a good signing for them. He gets about the park.

“I’m not sure he is as quick as Stuart, but he is strong and I just think he could go in and learn under Scott Brown.

“Broony is not going to go on forever and, in the meantime, he can train and play with him.”

n Simon Donnelly was speaking at the ‘Live it for Lee’ event, an annual charity football game in memory of Lee Jamieson, who tragically lost his battle with leukaemia. Organised by Lee’s family, profits from yesterday’s match will go to BLOODWISE, a UK charity aimed at funding research into beating blood cancers.