Stuart Armstrong loving life under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic

Stuart Armstrong fired in the best goal of his career in the 3-0 win over Hamilton then thanked boss Brendan Rodgers for rejuvenating his career at Celtic.

The Hoops midfielder was unable to pin down a regular starting berth under former boss Ronny Deila who signed both him and Gary Mackay-Steven from Dundee United in February, 2015.

When Armstrong did feature it was often on the left flank but since taking over the Ladbrokes Premiership champions in the summer the Northern Irishman has employed the 24-year-old in a preferred central midfield role where he has thrived.

After striker Leigh Griffiths had fired Celtic ahead at the rain-soaked SuperSeal stadium just before the break and Parkhead midfielder Callum McGregor had been rather harshly sent off by referee Willie Collum just after it for picking up two yellow cards, Armstrong rifled in a drive from 25 yards for a goal he has probably not'' bettered before rushing to the technical area to celebrate with Rodgers.

Substitute Moussa Dembele added a third near the end to keep Celtic 14 points clear of Rangers with a game in hand over the Ibrox side.

I don't really know what to do with my celebration, I just got carried away a little bit,'' said Armstrong.

I owe a lot to the manager for everything he has done since he came here for me personally and the team, which is to really enjoy life at Celtic in that central position.

I definitely have a lot to thank him for.

You want to score and I don't care how they go in as long as somebody is putting the ball in the net.

But obviously from a personal point of view scoring goals is always nice to help the team and when they go in like that is always that bit nicer.''

While Celtic extended their unbeaten domestic run to 22 games, Armstrong took his tally to the season to seven and ahead of the visit of Ross County on Wednesday night, he said: I always like scoring goals and that is something I always wanted to add.

They are coming more naturally to me now, now that I am in the middle and getting more opportunities.

If I keep adding that to my game and contributing then I will be happy.

I had a bit of time and space. It was on my right foot as well and I scored one - not as nice as that - here (Hamilton) before that was outside the box.

I knew you can get a good connection sometimes on the Astroturf so I thought I might as well have a go.''

Accies have won once in 15 games and sit above bottom side Inverness on goal difference.

Boss Martin Canning, who was booed and jeered by a section of fans at the end, said: We don't punish teams enough. It was a disappointing second half.''