Griffiths: Celtic first teamer is reaping the rewards of hard work in training
By Derek Smithson
Leigh Griffiths claims that his Celtic teammate Stuart Armstrong is getting the benefits of all his hard work in training.
The 25-year-old only completed a move to Parkhead in 2015 from Dundee United and struggled to make a serious impact during his first campaign with the club.
However, the midfielder was in superb form for the Bhoys last season and became an influential figure under Brendan Rodgers.
He was shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year which was won by winger Scott Sinclair as Celtic cliched a domestic treble.
Griffiths has revealed that Armstrong’s recent improvement is down to his efforts on the training ground and is confident that he will only get better.
“He came in and last season he wasn’t even in some of the 18-man squads but he went away and worked hard on the training ground and is reaping the reward,” Griffiths said, as quoted by the Daily Record. “He will crack on this season and get even better. We got him for around £1million but God knows what his valuation is now.”
Armstrong arrived at Celtic as a left midfielder, but last season was transformed into a central role under Rodgers.
He made 47 appearances across all competitions, scoring 17 goals and supplying seven assists in return.
The central midfielder was an ever-present in the startling-up and dictated player for his side.
Armstrong’s performances also saw him earn his first two international caps for Scotland in 2017 and he is now expected to become a mainstay in the national side too.
In other Celtic news, Chris Sutton has revealed why he is concerned for the club ahead of next season.
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