STUART Armstrong is hoping he can draw on his experience of playing high-possession Premier League teams when Scotland face Spain in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Hampden tomorrow night and help the national side to pull off a famous result.
Southampton midfielder Armstrong, who performed well in an advanced role in the 3-0 triumph over Cyprus in Glasgow on Saturday, admitted that he and his compatriots are in confident mood going into their second Group A outing.
The 41-times capped 30-year-old is well aware the encounter against the 10th placed country in the FIFA World Rankings – who recorded a 3-0 victory over Norway in Malaga at the weekend - will be a considerable step up in standard.
However, the former Dundee United and Celtic man faces Aymeric Laporte and Rodri of Manchester City on a regular basis down south and is optimistic he is well prepared for the meeting with Luis de la Fuente’s charges.
Asked what he expected from Spain, Armstrong said: “A lot of quality, intricate movements, very tidy on the ball. It will be a completely different game from Saturday. We’ll digest what happened in that one, take the positives, learn from the negatives and prepare again.
“I’m sure we will prepare in a good way. We’re definitely aware of what they can do, but obviously we’ll be aware that we can also put our stamp on the game. I’m sure we’ll look to do that with our pressing. We can also be very good with the ball and be quite dynamic going forward. I’m sure it’ll be an interesting one.
“We want to qualify and every game is so important. Tuesday is very, very important as it was on Saturday to get off a good start. It will be different entirely, but we’re looking forward to it.”
He added: “I play against high-possession teams like Manchester City in England and all the experiences help. Against these teams, you always have to be patient. You always have to accept they are going to maybe have more of the ball than you’d want.
“But that’s part of the challenge. It’s a different challenge. Between now and then, it’s always about recovery, preparing your best self physically.”
Armstrong was involved in the build-up to John McGinn’s opening goal against Cyprus and he confessed he had enjoyed linking up with Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor down the left flank.
“I thought the performance for the first half hour was really good,” he said. “We pressed high, kept it well and created a good few opportunities. What we wanted from the first game was a good performance, but what we needed was a win. We got that so we’re all very happy.
“I think 1-0 would have been good for the group, but 3-0 was convincing so we’re very happy with the start. Obviously, we have a very important game now on Tuesday and we’re looking forward to that as well.
“I really enjoy playing in that little triangle, with Callum McGregor on that side as well. It’s three players I’m very comfortable with. I know how they play. It feels like we have a very good connection. Hopefully it looks like that, too, and we can create some nice things.
“Robbo’s a joy to play with. He’s so energetic that he creates a lot of different things with his movement. KT is so dynamic as well that things just open up naturally. It’s a joy to play with them, to make those little passes and get crosses in. It’s good.”
Armstrong continued: “I think the benefit for us is that there is a lot of continuation of personnel within the squad, there is a lot of familiarity from players who have played together before.
“It was a long gap between November and now, but there is a lot of familiarity and a lot of rhythm, too. There is a very good atmosphere at the moment within the Scotland squad and good performances will hopefully follow that.
“I think I’ve said before that atmosphere is one of the best I’ve seen. Steve Clarke creates that. There is a lot of familiar faces and also a lot of young players coming through. There is a lot of competition for places, so it’s an enjoyable place to be. We just need to win some points on top of that.”
