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BILLY DODDS reckons Stuart Armstrong can already look forward to entering the Hampden Hall of Fame – and starring in the English Premier League – after his stunning Scotland bow.
Boss Gordon Strachan branded Armstrong’s first-cap display in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Slovenia as the best debut for Scotland ever.
And Dodds reckons the Celtic midfielder has all the attributes needed to become an international regular for years to come – and fulfil club boss Brendan Rodgers’ prediction of him making it big south of the border.
The Ross County number two said: “We’ve found a gem, haven’t we?
“I see him winning 50 caps, already, if he stays fit and just keeps playing away.
“I had no fears that he would go and take it in his stride, and he did exactly that. But he did more than that, because he had the quality.
“He had the pace, he had the power to go past players, and once he went past them he held them off, he had the bravery – he’s the complete player.
“Brendan Rodgers, when we were talking after playing against Celtic, thinks if he keeps on performing the way he does, and in the way he is, that he could play in the English Premier League, no problem.
“That’s a big accolade, and he’s got every attribute to do that.
“When he’s going up a level and he’s playing international football, he’s still sticking out. He’s got some career ahead of him.”
Meanwhile, Dodds has praised Chris Martin for showing the ‘exceptional’ strength of character to turn the Tartan Army’s jeers to cheers.
The 28-year-old was booed ON to the pitch on Sunday night as Scotland struggled to find the breakthrough against Slovenia at Hampden.
But, only six minutes after his introduction, the on-loan Fulham striker slid in the only goal of the game to keep Scotland’s World Cup dreams alive.
Dodds added to BBC Scotland: “I’m really pleased for Chris Martin, because I’ve never suffered it but getting booed onto the park takes a strong mentality to overcome it the way he did.
“I’ve been booed off but being booed on is the biggest slap in the face you can get.
“He gets a pass, he’s 14 yards from goal and he gets it into the net with a good finish. It was the right angle, it was the right finish, and that’s what he’s all about.
“That’s what we needed, we needed a typical out-and-out striker who’s a finisher and we got it.
“I’m delighted for him, for the way he handled the occasion, because to get booed on is horrible and to overcome it with the right mentality is exceptional.”
