STUART Armstrong today appealed to Celtic boss Ronny Deila to help him fulfil a Bhoyhood dream ...

by picking him to play against Inter Milan in the San Siro.

Armstrong netted on his first appearance for the Hoops in Europe against the Italian giants at Parkhead last Thursday night.

The midfielder's first-half strike got the Scottish champions, who had fallen 2-0 behind early on, back into a game they ended up drawing 3-3.

And he is hoping to get the nod from Deila for the second leg of the Europa League last-32 tie against Roberto Mancini's side tomorrow night.

For the 22-year-old, whose childhood hero was Gianfranco Zola, has revealed he grew up watching Inter play in Serie A and is desperate to feature.

Deila has several options available to him in midfield, and will adopt a far more defensive approach than he did in Glasgow.

But the £2million signing is confident he can score again - if named in the starting line-up - and help his new side record an historic triumph.

Armstrong said: "I watched Inter Milan play at the San Siro a lot when I was a young boy. Hopefully I can get the chance to play in this one.

"To play against a club of that size in a big European night last week was an amazing experience, and to score a goal was incredible.

"Playing in the Premiership week in, week out, is something I was used to with Dundee United, but European games are something special. I grew up watching them.

"I am very optimistic we have a chance of winning and going through. We have to think like that. We can't contemplate defeat."

He added: "We showed last Thursday night there are weakness in their defence we can exploit. Some of our play going forward really opened them up.

"It definitely gives us confidence because we could have scored more. To know that you can create not just a few, but a lot of chances against such a well-established team is encouraging.

"There were definitely chances we didn't take and that is something we will be thinking about heading over there today.

"I think they are a very good team. They pass the ball well, their movement is incredible and their decision-making is excellent, too.

"But they aren't world-beaters. We proved that last week. We won't be overawed by the prospect of playing them away from home."

The game against Inter Milan last week was only the second European match Armstrong, who moved to Celtic in the January transfer window, has been involved in.

But he believes he has benefitted from that experience and isn't daunted by the prospect of taking on Inter in the San Siro.

He said: "To contribute to a draw with a team like Inter Milan was amazing. Before the game, I just wanted to play well and give a good account of myself.

"To contribute to two of our goals was something special. It was quite a surreal feeling. I didn't really have time to think about it when it happened.

"Personally, I think the experience of a game like that was incredible. A player can only improve as a result of being a part of that.

"I have sampled big atmospheres before, but nothing on the scale of last week. I am sure the San Siro will be the same. I can't wait."