Scotland midfielder Stuart Armstong’s “pedigree” and “quality” are now shining through after struggling early on at Vancouver Whitecaps.
That’s the verdict of Canadian football podcaster Alexander Gangue-Ruzic, who says Armstrong was still in “pre-season mode” when he signed but is now showing his talent.
The former Dundee United and Celtic playmaker joined the MLS side at the start of September after leaving Southampton as a free agent.
The 32-year-old is playing alongside Vancouver fan favourite and fellow Scotland cap, Ryan Gauld, who scored a hat-trick in the wildcard round 5-0 win over Portland Timbers to guarantee a spot in the play-offs.
In their opening play-off game on Monday evening, the Whitecaps lost 2-1 against Los Angeles FC.
Speaking on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, Gangue-Ruzic said: “It’s unique for Armstrong because he signs in September and here that’s the run-in.
“It’s booking play-off qualification, one of his first games was playing in a cup final because the Whitecaps had reached the final of the Canadian Championship, and it was clear he wasn’t up to speed.
“And that’s not his fault. He signs here, he’s in pre-season mode.
“I know he’d been training with Brentford, I think he’d mentioned just trying to keep up to speed and he’s dropped right into [a squad with] guys who’ve been playing since February together for months. And it took a while.
“He was struggling, he didn’t look fit, he had some injuries.
“But I will say he’s really come along lately, his last two games have been fantastic.
“You’re starting to see the quality that you were expecting when he was signed, the pedigree that he has.
“And I think that’s exciting because there’s no doubt he fits perfectly into this team when healthy, when fit, and it took a while for those things to come together.”