Stuart Armstrong is happy Scott Brown is now on the same side!

Stuart Armstrong has enjoyed facing Scott Brown when they’ve crossed swords.

But he is much happier to now be in the same team as the Hoops captain.

He said: “Scott is someone who has shown what a Scottish player can achieve at Celtic. When you think of Celtic, you think of Scott Brown.

“He has achieved a lot at this football club and if I can be half as successful as he’s been, I’ll be happy.

“I met Scott a few times when I was in the Scotland squad for friendlies and had a few chats.

“He’s always a tough guy to play against and you learn from that experience of going up against guys like him.

“You try to take on board what they are doing on the pitch and hopefully I will learn even more playing in the same side.

“Scott commands the central area and dictates the play. He’s physical and it can be quite enduring to go up against him for 90 minutes.

“But he has many aspects to his game and that is just one of them.

“To be a top player, you have to be good at everything. He has that down to a tee.”

Meanwhile Gary Mackay-Steven is looking forward to cracking open the champagne at Celtic, having spent some of his formative years pulling pints in the local pub.

The 24-year-old is already setting his sights on helping the Parkhead club land silverware after completing a deadline day move from Dundee United.

Mackay-Steven has an opportunity to win two winner’s medals between now and the end of the season if he helps Ronny Deila’s side win the title and Scottish Cup.

It would complete a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the winger after finding himself out of the game and working behind the bar in a local bar in Thurso.

He said: “Before I was even at Airdrie, I was just having a period of rest in Thurso because I was recovering from injury I sustained at Liverpool.

“Back then I was working in a bar, The Newmarket, in Thurso.

“It was just part of the journey I’ve taken and even back then I never lost sight of what I could do.

“I always had confidence and support of my family. I always felt I could get to where I wanted to be. I’m here now and want to grab the chance with both hands.”

It was only four years ago the player attempted to kick-start his career at Airdrie after failing to make the grade at Liverpool.

And he hopes having to reach the top again by doing it the hard way will help prepare him for the challenges that lie ahead at Celtic.

He said: “At Airdrie I trained twice a week and the rest of the time I was looking for a job in Edinburgh.

“I moved down and stayed with my sister there. I didn’t do anything else, just keeping fit in local parks and stuff.

“But I think it’s a funny route I’ve taken to get here from my teenage years.”