STUART ARMSTRONG scored on his Celtic debut, managed a goal against Inter Milan and won a league title all within the space of five crazy months.

However, it is only now that the midfielder believes he will truly begin his Parkhead career.

With everyone back or about to return to the club from their summer break, what happened last season has gone, even if he was promoting the club's latest DVD yesterday about their four in a row triumph, and it's now all about beating FC Stjarnan and getting to the Champions League.

The fact Armstrong isn’t a brand new Bhoy at Celtic is testament to how much the club wanted to sign Gary Mackay-Steven and himself.

They could have waited until now before signing both players and saved themselves a bit of money, but they were lured from Dundee United in January and neither have looked back.

Both scored on their debuts, at Partick Thistle, and then went on to contribute hugely to Celtic’s title win.

However, most players still take time to settle into their new surroundings. So despite their fine start, is this the true beginning of Armstrong and Mackay-Steven’s Celtic careers?

Armstrong said: "Yes, you could say that. It’s good to make a little mark at the end of last season, but now is the time that you really feel a Celtic player and you’re starting again fresh for the new season and full of excitement.

"It’s good that it didn’t take long for us to bed in and that we didn’t look out of place.

"I think we can take confidence from that and it certainly stands us in good stead for the season. To have that period just to meet the boys and get used to things and get used to the way of life here.

"Now we can come back in the summer and know everyone and not have to be the new guy and just focus on football.

"It’s a new season and it’s a new chance to start afresh. I’ve always said playing here and focusing and improving here is what I want to do.”

Armstrong did make an immediate and impressive impact at Celtic following his move from Tannadice. That would come as little surprise to those who watched his performances at United.

However, given the competition for places in the middle of the park, either in defence or a more attacking role, not even he is guaranteed a start.

Nobody really is except for Scott Brown who would play seven days of the week if he could.

Armstrong said: "There is pressure for every place. Every season there are players who play in your position but that’s just life in football.

“Competition is part of football and you look forward to it. We’re a team and there is always rotation and always parts to play in different parts of the season."

Celtic will face Den Bosch next Wednesday at St Mirren Park, the first of a series of friendlies arranged to make sure the Celtic squad to a man is ready to face Stjarnan in less than three weeks time.

Armstrong said: "That’s going to be a good game and good opposition, so that will be a mark in terms of where we are in preparation and a good match leading into the qualifiers.

“It will give us a mark of where we are in terms of preparation and a good warm-up match for the qualifier."

Armstrong is a sensible sort and did his upmost to convince that he hadn't allowed his mind to drift towards who Celtic could get if they made to the Champions League group stages, even if you didn't 100 per cent believe him.

He said: "It’s important not to get too far ahead of yourself and just focus on one game at the time and make sure you do your best against the opposition and take each step.

“I’m looking forward to the qualifying games but it’s tough opposition. It’s a tough ask to get into the groups but it’s something that we’re really looking forward to and really excited about.

"It’s definitely not a given and it’s a very tough ask, there’s a lot of good teams that feel they deserve to get into the groups. We’ll have to be at the top of our game if we want to get that far and with a little bit of luck along the way."

After the Den Bosch match comes Dukla Prague and Real Sociedad to come before it starts for real.

Footballers, at least those at the top level, do have a great life, but such a short break is not ideal for these professional athletes who do need to rest their bodies.

Armstrong said: "It's the quickest competitive game I've had coming back to pre-season but again there's not that element of pressure.

"It's more excitement and looking forward to getting back into the thick of things.

"With football you take a week or two to get back into your fitness. You don't get a very long break at all, especially with the boys playing international football. So I think we'll find our feet very quickly."

Armstrong did just that when he arrived at Parkhead in early February and he is now helping Dedryck Boyata settle into the club following the defender's arrival from Manchester City.

He revealed: "I'm giving him a lift in and out and he's still not produced any money for it yet, but I'm sure he will.

"But he is a really nice guy, very chatty.

"It's good to get that period out of the way where you meet the boys, the fans and see the stadiums. Now you can just focus on football and not have to worry about being the new guy."