STUART ARMSTRONG admits he was always desperate to score AGAINST Aberdeen after being snubbed by them as a kid.
Now he’s hoping to help fire them away from the foot of the table.
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The Scotland midfielder was a surprise signing for the Dons the day after the transfer window closed following his release from Sheffield Wednesday at the end of last season.
Armstrong was born in Inverness but moved to the Granite City with his family when he was still a child.
It saw him star for Dyce Boys’ Club alongside the likes of current Pittodrie skipper Graeme Shinnie and land a trial at the club he dreamed of playing for back then.
But that rejection 20 years ago left him with a burning desire to prove a point each time he faced them, first with Inverness’ academy team then playing in the top flight for rivals Dundee United and Celtic.
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Armstrong, 33, said: “I’ve not been in Aberdeen in a long time, actually. I started playing football here when I was younger, with Dyce Boys Club.
“I was there for years so I’ve gone the long way around and come back to kind of make it full circle in a football sense, which is a nice feeling.
“I had a few trial games back when I was 13 and never quite cut it. I was probably lacking in a few bits and pieces back then – and I’ve been bitter ever since!
“But it’s nice to go the long way around and eventually make it through the gates.
“I was always desperate to score against Aberdeen after my initial rejection but I only got the one, so I hope I score a few more for the right team this time!”
Armstrong penned a two-year deal and returns to Scottish football for the first time since he left the Hoops for Southampton in 2018.
Capped 51 times, he spent six years with the Saints before joining Canadian outfit Vancouver Whitecaps then the cash-hit Owls.
He was freed by the Hillsborough side on May 15 and has been left to ponder his future as the weeks and months have passed.
Now he’s gearing up for a debut against Livingston a week on Saturday, when the Dons will look to try to secure a first league win of the season.
They also have a Europa Conference League campaign to look forward to.
Armstrong – who won four league titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups at Parkhead – told RedTV: “It’s been a long summer for me, which has been nice. But it gets to the point where you just want to play football again.
“Sometimes when you’ve had a bit of time out you re-evaluate what it is you like and enjoy and I really missed playing competitive, challenging football and the lure of playing in Europe as well.
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“It’s exciting to come back to a familiar place. It’s in Scotland and it feels like a long time ago since I played football here.
“I enjoyed my time in Scotland so to get the opportunity to do that again is something I maybe didn’t think would happen for me but it has and I’m very grateful for it.”
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