AS the man who has forged a devastating partnership with Scott Brown in the centre of the Celtic midfield this season, Stuart Armstrong appreciates more than most just how important a player he is to his side.

Not least in Glasgow derby matches.

So Armstrong was pleased when he discovered on Thursday that an SFA disciplinary tribunal had cleared his team mate to play against Rangers for the sixth and final time this season at Ibrox this afternoon.

He was confident that another member of Brendan Rodgers’s squad – Nir Bitton or Callum McGregor – could have slotted in and performed well if the red card which his captain received in the league game against Ross County earlier this month had been upheld at the hearing.

Yet, he believes that having the combative and cultured presence of Brown in the starting line-up will enable the Scottish champions to once again perform at their very best despite there being nothing other than pride and their undefeated domestic record at stake.

“I think he is a unique player in the sense that he optimises Celtic in many ways,” he said. “We’ve got a very good depth of squad here and everyone wants to play their part. But, of course, it’s a lot nicer to have him in the team than out of it.

“With Scott, his performances and his effort throughout the games have shown he’s a true leader. He’s respected very much. He’s a terrific player, there’s no doubt about it. He’s our leader. Whoever plays gives their all for the team and show the same appetite for it, but it is good to have him available for this game.”

Brown was, as he had been in Celtic’s four previous meetings with Rangers this season, outstanding in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden last Sunday.

But Callum McGregor, who scored a stunning opening goal in the first half of that last four fixture, was arguably Rodgers’s best player.

Armstrong was certainly impressed with display of the man who operated just in front of him and can see him acquitting himself well once again this afternoon if, as seems highly likely, he is given the nod to start.

“I thought Callum was excellent at Hampden, as he has been whenever he’s been called on,” he said. “He’s a very good player and I think he showed that with his goal. I had a great view of it and it was a great finish.”

“When the three of us play it always works well. Callum is very tidy and very good with his passing. He’s got good awareness and creativity and he scores goals as well.

“His finish against Rangers at Hampden was a very good one. He used the defender just to bend the ball around and into the back of the net. It’s difficult in a big game like that to keep your composure but Callum has those qualities.”

Armstrong, who made his long-awaited Scotland debut in the Russia 2018 qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden last month, has opened talks with Celtic about extending his contract.

But the 25-year-old, who only established himself as a first team regular after Rodgers arrived last summer, gave a strong indication that he wants to stay when he predicted the current Celtic side could improve on what has been, even by their standards, an impressive campaign.

“We’re still learning and that’s something to remember,” he said. “We’ve come a long way this season and progressed and improved in many areas.

“I think the gaffer is building something special here. We’ll be looking next season to improve upon that so it’s quite exciting for everyone involved.”