Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong good enough to turn the heads of Premier League clubs, claims goalkeeper Craig Gordon

  • Southampton, Swansea and West Brom were eyeing Celtic's  Stuart Armstrong
  • The midfielder is set to sign a contract extension with the Scottish outfit
  • Craig Gordon claims he has the quality to keep attracting interest from big clubs 

Craig Gordon insists Stuart Armstrong has the quality to remain on the radar of big-spending English clubs even after signing a new Celtic deal.

Following Wednesday night’s 5-0 rout of Astana, manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed the club hoped to announce a contract extension for the Scotland midfielder before the end of this week.

Southampton, Swansea and West Bromwich Albion were among the sides eyeing Armstrong’s situation but he is now set to end months of speculation about his immediate future.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed the club hoped Stuart Armstrong would soon sign a new contract

Brendan Rodgers confirmed the club hoped Stuart Armstrong would soon sign a new contract

Goalkeeper Gordon is delighted with that outcome and feels the 25-year-old can deliver performances that will continue to draw admiring looks from potential suitors.


‘This is a great place to learn,’ said Gordon. ‘Hopefully he (Armstrong) gets another chance to play Champions League if we can go over there (to Astana) and win the second leg and get through. He has shown it on every stage so far, whenever he has stepped up.

‘He came from Dundee United to play here and it took him a bit of time to settle in. Once he did he was one of our best players last season. Then he stepped it up to the international level, and he has played Champions League.

‘Another few years here doing that – I would think he is already a big target for anyone, whether he signs a new contract or not. If someone comes in with big money, then money talks.

‘But it is good for him to get settled and concentrate on football. If he keeps progressing as he is, then I am sure there will still be plenty of teams looking at him.’

'I am sure there will still be plenty of teams looking at him,' goalkeeper Craig Gordon said

'I am sure there will still be plenty of teams looking at him,' goalkeeper Craig Gordon said

Rodgers revealed this week that he felt Armstrong had suffered a loss of confidence during the protracted impasse, pointing an accusing finger at the player’s representative for the delay.

Gordon revealed he had called upon his own experience to offer counsel to his team-mate during the process. The 34-year-old had been a target for English champions Chelsea before signing a new Celtic contract in March.

‘Last season there were bids there and there was a possibility,’ reflected Gordon. ‘Even after that it took a few months to clear the contract situation up.

‘That is just what happens. That is all I was trying to tell him, it took me a wee while as well, and not to get too upset about it. I just relayed what had happened in my situation, it was quite similar to his. But they do tend to get sorted eventually.

‘Stuart brings something a little bit different to the team, he has great energy. And he is a great goal threat with both feet as well.

‘We need him in the team ready to play. Hopefully that will settle things down and he can concentrate and get himself back in the team and show us all what he is capable of. He is a massive part of the team.’