Stuart Armstrong draws positives from Celtic's Champions League exit

Stuart Armstrong is determined to draw positives from the experience gained in Celtic's Champions League campaign which effectively ended in the 2-0 defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday night.

The loss at Parkhead kept them bottom of Group C and means they are out of Europe altogether with only the final fixture away to Manchester City remaining.

However, the 24-year-old midfielder was pleased with the improvement made since the 7-0 defeat in the Nou Camp in September, with notable draws against both City and Borussia Monchengladbach, as he looked forward to Hampden Park and the Betfred Cup final against Aberdeen.

"We were focused on giving a better account of ourselves than in the away tie," he said.

"We did that in parts, so there are definitely some positives to take from Wednesday night and some confidence to take into the weekend.

"We learned to compete with the best and how to overcome different situations against top quality players.

"The games against Manchester City at home and Gladbach away were very good performances and perhaps ties we would have taken more from and that is definitely pleasing, to play against these top quality teams and come away with that feeling afterwards."

Armstrong refused to talk about the prospect of a domestic treble this season but is looking to capture the first trophy available this season.

He joined Celtic from Dundee United in February 2015, just a month before his new side played in the League Cup final against the Tannadice club.

However, both Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven, who signed for the champions on the same day, missed out on the showpiece occasion as they were cup-tied.

He said: "I am very excited about it, the first final to be involved in with Celtic so it's the first chance to get a bit of silverware in the form of a cup so I am looking forward to it.

"It would be a huge boost to us and something we want to win. It's a target for us and something we've been working hard for. If we can get that trophy in the bag it will be another positive in another good start for us."