There have been some interesting reactions to a recent report from the BBC on Friday evening.
The rumour mill had already linked Southampton with a possible return to Celtic for their midfielder Stuart Armstrong, and the BBC claimed on Friday night that sources had indicated negotiations between the two clubs had gone well when it came to the transfer of the 26-year-old Scottish international.
A fee had been agreed and we were set to talk personal terms with him over the weekend with a view to a reported £7million switch taking place.
During his time at Parkhead the player has picked up four Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups, more than playing his part in back to back domestic trebles under Brendan Rodgers.
Should the deal come off, he’ll leave Celtic having made 106 starting appearances for them, with a further 37 appearances from the bench. In that time he’s contributed 28 goals.
Many Southampton fans feel that he’s more likely a replacement option for Steven Davis rather than Dusan Tadic and the majority were pretty happy with the potential capture.
From what I’ve read, Armstrong looks like a much needed replacement of Steven Davis rather than a critical replacement of Dusan Tadic. Great signing nonetheless if it happens. #SaintsFC https://t.co/eQrCEjcqQa
— DJ Williams (@DjwPersonal) June 23, 2018
Armstrong had an excellent season last year racking up 17 goals and 8 assists, this season he’s been unlucky with injury and still got a respectable tally, can’t imagine he’s Tadic’s replacement but could be the No.10 we need, buying from Celtic normally works #saintsfc
— Ben Glasspool (@BenGlasspool) June 23, 2018
Stuart Armstrong is a good signing for us £7M looks like a bit of a bargain for a goal scoring midfielder #saintsfc
— Jamie Leach (@JamieLeach23) June 23, 2018
we are due a massive squad overhaul but I cant help but think we want to do it on the cheap. Armstrong is a good singing at £7m but another central midfielder is the last thing we need. A solid centre half, a pacey winger and a reliable goal scorer. We have none of that #saintsfc
— george (@georgeattwell96) June 23, 2018
Armstrong: good value at £7m, can chip in with a goal, decent engine, nice hair. I can understand anxiety after the Tadic news but the fact #saintsfc have been linked to him for at least two consecutive summers suggests some planning, probably with a view to Davis's aging legs.
— Lucy Highnett (@lucyhighnett) June 22, 2018
Just a good player at a great price. Don’t see how anyone can be critical of Saints on this one. Think Armstrong’s career has been mismanaged a bit but that’s not SFC’s fault.
— shirleymush ????????⚪️ (@shirleymush) June 23, 2018
As others pointed out, it’s not like we’ve done too badly out of dealing with Celtic previously!
A couple of tweets showed some fans were less than enamoured with the move and they gave rise to some interesting headlines elsewhere in the press, but overall that angle of response to this news is well wide of the mark given the type of player he seems to be. No guarantees he’ll adjust to life in the Premier League, but there never are, if he does though I’d imagine he’ll quickly win over any doubters.
Sorry, but Stuart Armstrong doesn't excite me at all. Linked with Promes, Shaqiri etc then end up with Armstrong is poor. #saintsfc
— Andrew (@andrew_saintsfc) June 22, 2018
#saintsfc another season close to the relegation zone threatens with signings like Armstrong. Wreaks of no ambition, cheap signing…
Club haven’t learned anything from last season again. Mugging the fans off yet again. #noambition— Charlie Mercer (@Charlie_Mercer_) June 22, 2018
26 years old and still playing Scottish football, jury's out #saintsfc https://t.co/DlF3bWcQa7
— Jamie English (@jamieenglishsfc) June 22, 2018