Stuart Armstrong has thanked Brendan Rodgers for the influence he has had on the midfielder's game this season.

The 24-year-old is in Gordon Strachan's squad for the friendly against Canada at Easter Road on Wednesday night and for Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden on Sunday night.

It is not the first time Armstrong has been called into the senior squad, however he has yet to make his full international debut.

“He [Rodgers] has been a huge influence on me personally," said Armstrong. " At the start of the season I was in and out. I had targets and goals to work for in training and bringing that into the game.

"Moving inside to a central midfield position has been a huge benefit for me. It is more natural. It is where I feel that I am best. It is a combination of things. But there is no doubting the influence the gaffer has had.”

This season's experience of playing in the UEFA Champions League have also, inevitably, benefitted Armstrong's game.

“I think I am a little bit older now and a little bit more experienced, especially with the Champions League experience and the pressures of that and accepting the pressures of winning every week with Celtic and being happy with that," he said. "So it has definitely been a learning season this season. I am probably in the best position I have been in in terms of experience in terms of my career.”

“Every player wants to represent their country and I’m sure it will be a special moment if I do pull on the jersey.

"I am very happy about it and my family are very proud. I will just be taking my Celtic form and hopefully bringing it into training next week.

“The last time I was called in was a while ago and I had to pull out with injury. That was a frustrating time. It has taken a while to get back in. That is in the past and this is now. Yeah, I am very excited and looking forward to it.”

It will be interesting to see if Armstrong is given a start for the game at Hampden on Sunday, a game that Scotland desperately need to win.

“I don’t think it is for me to decide," said Armstrong. "I think this season has been one of learning. European football has helped my development.

"Playing Champions League was a great experience against top quality players. You learn a lot from big occasions like that as well as playing in finals. It is definitely only going to stand you in good stead.”