text: Stuart Armstrong admits taking receipt of his first Scottish Premiership league winners’ medal would help finalise the process of feeling like a Celtic player. For the young midfielder, a Parkhead title party next month would also help make up for the hurt he suffered at the very same venue 12 months previously. Last May, at the culmination of an exciting season on Tayside, Armstrong and his young Dundee United team-mates harboured high hopes of becoming just the third team in Tannadice history to lift the Scottish Cup. Celtic's Stuart Armstrong (right) is hoping to get his hands on the Scottish Premiership title . Armstrong completed a move from Dundee United to Celtic during the January transfer window . Following a 2-0 defeat in the final against St Johnstone, however, the 23-year-old was left crestfallen as he watched the Perth side celebrate their own slice of history on the Parkhead turf. A year on and he is part of a Celtic side rapidly closing in on a title that even Derek McInnes, manager of closest challengers Aberdeen, admits is essentially over. While insisting nobody at Celtic is taking league glory for granted, Armstrong – who joined Celtic on transfer deadline day - admits that a title party in the east end of Glasgow next month would represent a green day to banish the blues that still hang over his head from a year ago. ‘Last year’s Scottish Cup Final at Celtic Park was a disappointing end to a very enjoyable season,’ Armstrong recalled ahead of his side's lunchtime clash at Inverness. ‘We had the joy of winning the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Ibrox so to then go on and lose in the final to St Johnstone was very difficult to take. It’s not something you can change, though, so you have to just live with that disappointment. ‘But winning the title would be nice this year. A bit of success would certainly lighten the disappointment of that cup final. ‘And there’s a nice little gap building now at the top of the table. For a while Aberdeen were threatening us closely but we have managed to extend the gap and we still have a game in hand. While it’s never over until it’s mathematically impossible, we are confident we can clinch it. But we won’t be complacent. Armstrong joined Celtic along with his close friend and former Dundee team-mate Gary Mackay-Steven . ‘I’ve been here at Celtic a few months now and I’ve played a few games so I do feel like a Celtic player. But I would feel even more like a Celtic player with a league winners’ medal. As a player, you want to fill your trophy cabinet up and winning the league title would be a great way to start.’ In this season when achieving just the fourth treble in Celtic’s long history is a real possibility, Armstrong, like close friend Gary Mackay-Steven, has been limited to Premiership action because of his involvement in the cups with United earlier this season. His League Cup-winning team-mates return to Hampden next Sunday to face Inverness in the Scottish Cup semi finals and, while being on the outside for cup ties is undeniably frustrating, Armstrong believes arriving in January has been of huge benefit in other ways. In particular, he feels walking out to a wall of sound at Parkhead against Inter Milan in the Europa League in February will have left himself and Mackay-Steven ready to hit the ground running in the Champions League qualifiers in July. ‘It would be bizarre to maybe only be part of one part of a Treble - but it’s also exciting to be part of a team who are capable of doing it,’ he said. ‘I’d have loved to have been involved in all the big matches but that’s just the way it is. As it is, we have the chance of the title this year – and I’m sure there will be chances for other medals next year. ‘But I definitely feel part of it at Celtic now. Myself and Gary have settled in really well. It was nice people were saying myself and Gary were worthy of being in contention for Scotland but it was nice to get away to Dubai for a few days of sun during the international break and to come back fresh. Even if it felt wrong not having my friend Gary there in Dubai with me, since we’re always together! Kris Commons scored in Celtic's recent Scottish Premiership 2-0 win over Partick Thistle . ‘But being in Dubai to relax let me reflect on everything that’s happened since January. Yes, it’s a little frustrating not to be involved in the cup matches because they are always exciting games. But the advantage of coming in January was that by the time the qualifiers come round next season I will look forward to them rather than be nervous. ‘The Inter Milan game was an eye opener as to how big the support is and how noisy the ground can be. To play against a huge team like them – and for me to do so well – was a great experience and I can’t wait for next season.’ Inverness-born Armstrong played for Caley Thistle for a season as a 16-year-old before his family uprooted for Dundee and he joined up at Tannadice. While he has few ties left in the Highlands, he is full of respect for John Hughes’ side and his friend from the youth team, current Caley Thistle captain Graeme Shinnie. ‘I grew up in Nairn but I was born at Raigmore Hospital,’ he said. ‘We lived up there for six or seven years when I was young and I’ve still got family in Nairn. ‘I also played for Inverness Under 16s for a year before we moved to Dundee. The likes of Graeme Shinnie were there with the Under 19s and Terry Butcher was in charge, with Charlie Christie involved training the youth sides. ‘But I didn’t play particularly well at Inverness. I became a better player after I went to Dundee United.’
target: Stuart Armstrong is hoping he can win his first Premiership title .
  Armstrong joined Celtic from Dundee United in January 2015 .
  He experienced heartache during last season's Scottish Cup final .
  Armstrong and his then Dundee United team-mates were beaten 2-0 .