GMS Praises "Good Pal" Armstrong

Pic: Jeff Holmes

Gary Mackay-Steven scored within seconds of his first game for Celtic in the 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over Partick Thistle - and was just as pleased that Stuart Armstrong also marked his debut with a goal. There was less than a minute gone at Firhill when winger Mackay-Steven drove past Jags keeper Scott Fox but midfielder Armstrong, his close friend who also checked in at Parkhead on transfer deadline day, was not to be outdone. The 22-year-old notched with a drive on the half-hour mark before midfielder Stefan Johansen fired in a third in the 66th minute to paint a true reflection of the Hoops' superiority. Mackay-Steven said:"I am obviously delighted first and foremost to make my debut and to score straight away settled some nerves. "It was a bit of a blur. You want to get your first touch right and settle into the game, but obviously to score was great. "It was good that Stuart scored. We have been getting a bit of stick at the club for doing everything together. "We are good pals and obviously it was only right that he would score today and I am really happy for him, he played really well too. "It is great for us. It was a great experience and all the boys helped me." With some conviction Ronny Deila's side extended their winning run to five league games to go three points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the table - with a game in hand over the Dons - and they have now gone eight games in all competitions without losing a goal. The Hoops boss was pleased with the debuts of his two new signings from Dundee United and believes they will make his team better. He said: "We knew Gary had the skills we need - we need players who can go on penetrating runs and open more spaces. "Both of them are doing that and that makes us more difficult to read and it is harder to beat us. "I think we are a better team but it is not just them who are making us better, we are improving all the time. "I feel comfortable when I sit on the bench now compared to four months ago. "We have good confidence and we are looking forward to every game." The Norwegian rested winger James Forrest but expects to have him back for the trip to St Johnstone on Saturday, along with striker Leigh Griffiths who was out with an ankle injury. Alan Archibald thought his players "felt sorry for themselves" after losing an early goal. However, the Jags boss also thought his side should have got a penalty after the break when a Stuart Bannigan drive was blocked by Hoops defender Emilio Izaguirre, and a foul when Celtic striker John Guidetti challenged keeper Scott Fox before the third goal. He said: "It was handball. I have had two or three given against us this season but we don't let them and we don't expect to get them. "We have had one penalty this season. I wasn't expecting to get another one against Celtic. "It is hard for referees, I wish they would take the grey area away because it is as frustrating for them as for us. "The keeper was (fouled in the build-up) but the ref seemed to think it was an advantage for us. I don't know why. "It is just one of those decisions you get with referees, usually against Celtic. "But it is vital that you make Celtic work for their goals but we gave them their goals."