GORDON STRACHAN feels Stuart Armstrong has played his way into the Scotland squad by becoming a key player for Celtic - just like his Parkhead team-mate Leigh Griffiths.
The uncapped Armstrong was named in Strachan's squad for the European Qualifiers against Georgia and Germany after an impressive first six months at Parkhead. And Strachan praised Griffiths for making himself a success after looking like he was on his way out of Celtic Park a year ago.
On Armstrong, Strachan said: "I have been impressed for a while because, about two years ago, he was in a squad. It's not like he has just come on the radar, he has always been on the radar.
"It shouldn't be a big surprise to anyone because he has been doing well at a high level. He looks comfortable at the level he is playing in and he is becoming a major figure in games."
As well as aiming for his international debut, the former Dundee United midfielder is hoping to secure Champions League football when Celtic face Malmo in Sweden on Tuesday night. And Strachan believes the 23-year-old can thrive further.
He said: "Hopefully the quality of teams they are going to play against in the next few months will be even higher than the teams they are playing against now.
"It's also just dealing with the big-game mentality, dealing with the pressure, dealing with the crowds. That's something the boys at Celtic have to deal with all the time and Stuart, as far as I can see, is dealing with that well now."
Griffiths signalled he could excel at the top level of European football by netting twice in the first leg against Malmo after being left out of the starting line-up for the first four qualifiers. The ability to bounce back and prove himself was evident last season when Griffiths scored 17 goals in his final 24 games.
The 25-year-old already has seven this season and he could be set for his first appearance of the qualifying campaign when Scotland take on Georgia on September 4, three days before hosting the world champions. Griffiths was recalled to the squad in May and came on during the 1-0 friendly win over Qatar and Strachan continues to be impressed with his attitude.
"I think you need to look at his progress from last year at this time," Strachan said.
"People talked about him going on loan to Hibs. What he has done is decide that, 'no, I don't want to go on loan to Hibs', although it's one of his favourite teams. He wants to stay at Celtic and prove himself an asset there, which he did.
"That has nothing to do with me, the supporters, Ronny Deila, it's basically down to himself. He decided he was going to give it a right good shot, which he has always had in his locker. He is a gutsy wee guy. He has put himself in this position where Ronny likes what he sees, likes what he does for the team, and I'm similar.
"But Leigh has been in the squad many times and, in his own quirky wee way, he is a great addition on and off the pitch. His movement is great and his first thought as a striker is to try to get beyond people, which I think is fantastic. Not everybody has got that.
"He is learning the other side of the game now, which is great, and he has only learned that because he is playing with good players."
Chris Martin returns to join team-mate Johnny Russell in the 26-man squad and Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor and Blackburn defender Grant Hanley both return after injury. Midfielders Barry Bannan and Charlie Adam drop out, the former after injury and lack of games at Crystal Palace.
"It's tough for me to pick a squad now," Strachan said.
"Two years ago, it was quite easy. Now it's getting very, very hard. There are probably 10 or 12 players that I could put in the squad and it wouldn't make any difference, but you can't have that amount in your squad because it's unfair to them."
