STUART ARMSTRONG says his national service heroics for Scotland will send him home to Celtic ready to fight for his place.

The midfielder capped getting his first goal for his country in Lithuania on Friday night by turning in a man-of-the-match performance in the 2-0 win at home to Malta last night to keep Scotland’s World Cup dream alive.

Coming into the international break Armstrong had started just five of his 11 appearances in green and white, but after a week to remember in dark blue he has vowed to return to Celtic with an extra spring in his step.

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He said: “It’s pleasing. Each individual wants to help the team in any way that can whether it’s a defender, a midfielder trying to create goals and score or a striker.

“To get my first goal for my country the other night was a proud moment for me. I’ll try and add to that tally in the games to come.

“It’s always nice to come away with Scotland get into a different atmosphere and a different group of boys. It’s good to see everyone that you’ve not seen in a while.

“International football is always different from club football and there’s a lot of pride playing for your country.

“I look forward going back to Celtic and fighting for my place.”

There was more than a familiar look to this Scotland team for Armstrong for the second time in four days courtesy of the five Celtic team-mates around him.

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The midfielder was joined by Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, James Forrest and goal hero Leigh Griffiths in front of 26,000 Tartan Army foot soldiers, and it was clear to see the confidence from the domestic invincibles had transferred into Strachan’s side.

“It can do,” said Armstrong, who penned a new deal at Parkhead just last month. “It can help when you have a group of players who have played together before and know what each other are going to do and their movements, strengths and weaknesses.

“It can only help the team. But we have a very talented group in there that’s strong in a lot of areas.”

He added: “It’s a busy schedule until Christmas but everyone wants to play in the Champions League and we’ve managed to do that.

“We have massive teams in the group and it’s about improving on the group performance from last year. That’s the aim.”

Reflecting on the victories over Lithuania and Malta, Armstrong was understandably positive over the future of this Scotland squad.

With just two games left in World Cup qualifying Group F, the Scots now have their fate in their own hands when it comes to finishing second and hopefully grabbing a precious play-off spot.

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He said: “The game on Friday night was a good team performance. We dominated the game. There was a good feeling about it with the fans being there and it was a really good atmosphere. It was 3-0 and very comfortable.

“Malta was a different game. There was less space and they were more defensive and it was more about us being patient.

“Getting the early goal from Christophe Berra definitely helped us. It was all about trying to get the second goal and seeing the game through.

“Six points is what we wanted and six points is what we got.”