BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton has urged Celtic to cash in on Stuart Armstrong this summer as he enters the final year of his contract at Parkhead.
Armstrong, 26, has been a regular feature in Brendan Rodgers’ first team plans during his two-years in Glasgow, however the Daily Record reported earlier this month that the Hoops will now welcome the sale of the in-demand Scotland international, who has attracted attention from Southampton, Brighton, Crystal Palace and West Brom.
Former Celtic and England striker Sutton now believes that the time is right for Armstrong to leave the Celtic Park after failing to sign a longer contract last year.
“I like Stuart Armstrong as a player but he didn’t want to commit to Celtic long term last season…. if he’s not committed the best thing Celtic can do is sell him and move on asap,” he said on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday morning.
I like Stuart Armstrong as a player but he didn’t want to commit to Celtic long term last season…. if he’s not committed the best thing Celtic can do is sell him and move on asap… https://t.co/LvtqndBu3P
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) June 19, 2018
Armstrong made 41 appearances in all competitions for Celtic last season, scoring five goals in the process.
OPINION
Sutton is right and Celtic really have to offload Armstrong this summer, otherwise they will risk losing him on a free transfer next year when his contract expires. Given the amount of Premier League interest in the former Dundee United midfielder, Rodgers should be able to pocket a fairly decent fee that he can use to help strengthen his defence. The Hoops midfield is already bloated and the club have been linked with the likes of John McGinn from Hibernian over the last year. McGinn would be a good replacement for Armstrong and should be available for a low fee as he is also in the final year of his contract. The Hibs star could prove to be a long-term successor to Scott Brown if he manages to impress at Parkhead, so it definitely makes sense to cash in on Armstrong and find a replacement this summer. Sutton is rarely wrong about transfers at Celtic.